Profitability of Adopting Extended Low Intensity Harvesting Systems for Rubber

Abstract

In harvesting, rubber tree is generally tapped along the half of the circumference of the trunkwith the frequency of once in two days (S/2 d2). Low intensity harvesting (LIH) systems inrubber plantations appeared to be a practical solution to address the issues related to labour,high rate of bark consumption and cost of production. Low intensity of harvesting could beachieved by reducing either the frequency of harvesting or tapping cut length or both.Recently two extended low intensity systems i.e. S/2 d4 (tapped along the half of thecircumference of the trunk with once in four days frequency) and S/4 d3 (tapped along thequarter of the circumference of the trunk with once in three days frequency) wasrecommended for harvesting rubber in Sri Lanka. Generally no estate would adopt LIHsystems in its full extent. Therefore, profitability of adopting S/2 d4 and S/4 d3 systems in anestate with 500 ha at different rates was worked out for general information. In this case,effects on production cost, net income and harvester requirement were analysed withdifferent adoption rates.

Adoption of S/2 d4 and S/4 d3 systems may reduce the total production cost at rates of 1.86and 1.73 million rupees per 10% increase in adoption extent with S/2 d4 and S/3 d4 system,respectively However, adoption of the total extent of a 500 ha estate will get the benefit ofreduction of the production cost in Rs.18.69 and 17.28 million annually compared to tappingthe total extent with S/2 d2 system.

Net annual income gained from 500 ha of rubber harvested with S/2 d2 system will be Rs.95.57 Mn. Adoption in 10% of the extent with S/2 d4 and S/4 d3 harvesting systems mayincrease the net income of the estate in Rs.1.87 Mn and 1.73 Mn per year, respectively.Adoption of 100% of the area with S/2 d4 and S/4 d3 system may increase the annual netincome to Rs. 114.26 Mn and Rs. 112.85 Mn, respectively.

Harvesting 500ha of mature extent with 400 tappable trees needs 333 harvesters per day at d2frequency. Adoption of 10% of the extent with d4 and d3 frequency may reduce the harvesterrequirement in 5% and 3%, respectively. However, adoption of 100% of this extent with S/2d4 and S/4 d3 harvesting systems reduces the daily required number of harvesters to 167 and222, respectively.