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Archives (2001)
Village processing
technologies: approach to solve low production of rubber
by Rita T. dela Cruz |
July-September
2001
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The Philippine rubber industry has a good chance
in penetrating the world market but our rubber exports in
1998 show that majority of the total rubber produced by small
and medium scale farmers are mostly low quality grade. Determined
to solve this problem, the Philippine Rubber Research Center
(PhilRubber), situated at the University of Southern Mindanao
(USM), Kabacan Cotabato, conducted a study entitled, Adoption
of Village Level Processing: An Approach Towards Production
of Quality Product and Increase Income. It has two main objectives:
1) to showcase, demonstrate and promote the adoption of village-level
rubber processing technologies for the production of quality
rubber product and increase farmer's income, and; 2) to prove
that village-level processing facilities and equipment are
worthy of investment.
During the initial conduct of the study, it
was found that the problem lies mainly on the two predicaments
that the rubber industry is now facing: weak extension program
and inadequate government support program.
Realizing this, the study introduced the adoption
of village level processing technologies, an extension program
approach that will solve the low level, low quality of productivity
among farmers, specifically the small rubber farmers. This
can be achieved by simultaneously producing quality and ready
to use raw rubber, right at the farmers' own fields.
The methodologies and strategies of the implementation
consisted of a two-part activity: fabrication and testing
and, conduct of training on the adoption of the village level
processing. A total of 10 units of USM-Rubber sheeter that
were locally fabricated were installed in five project sites
in Mindanao (Cotabato, Zamboanga, South Cotabato, Davao del
Sur and, Bukidnon). Along with the equipment was a hands-on-training
for 30 farmers on the village level processing technologies.
These technologies include: latex (the white, milky sap oozing
from the bark of the rubber tree) collection; straining, standardization
and coagulation; milling and sheeting; drying; baling and;
storage.
Results of the study showed an average cuplump
(these are the dried latex left at the bottom of the tapping
cups) production of 250 kg of rubber was procured whereby
30% of its actual price goes to the tapper (the person who
collects or "tap" the latex from the rubber tree)
while 70% goes to the owner. On the other hand, for the processed
product, the farmer procured an av.erage of 200 kg dry rubber
wherein 40% of its current price goes to the tapper and 60%
to the owner. Furthermore, farmers are able to avail of the
simple and low-cost processing technologies without the hassle
of thinking of problems coming their way. 
(For more information about the potentials
of rubber please contact the Dr. Eugenio A. Alcala, National
team Leader for Plantation Crops RDE Network, Philippine Rubber
Research Center, University of Southern Mindanao, #9407 Kabacan,
Cotabato, Philippines or contact telephone numbers (064) 248-2323
or 248-2517 or e-mail at e_alcala@itdp.usm.edu.ph)
More Articles:
Vol. 3 No. 3 July-September 2001
»»
USM recommends high-yielding rubber clones
»» GMA okays
P2B R&D Fund
»» New
sciences to produce more food
»» Five
cacao clones now ready for farmer use
»» NIRDEAP
for rubber: stretching opportunities for rubber industry
»» Rubber:
the oozing tree
»» Village
processing technologies: approach to solve low production of rubber
»» Smallholder
rubber farming system "no break" in farmers' income
»»
NIRDEAP for coffee: perking up the coffee sector
»» Clonal
propagation in coffee: a promising technology
»» How
to raise healthy cacao seedlings
»» Earning
more from canes
»» Coping
with acidic soils
»» Muscovado:
the promise of the 'other sugar'
»» Rock
candy: a 'tasteful' example of a profitable home business
»» Propagating
cacao by nodal grafting
»»
Making vinegar a business venture
»» The
Philippine coffee industry: a profile
»» Prospects
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