Essential Factors Required for the Growth of Natural Rubber ||Agriculture
By: Deepmani Pradhan /Abu Dhabi/
Natural Rubber: Factors Required for the Growth of Natural RubberNatural Rubber: Essential Factors Required for the Growth of Natural Rubber are as follows:
1. Climate:
Rubber is a tropical tree. It requires high temperature throughout the year – ranging between 20°-35°C or average monthly mean of 27°C. Less than 20°C temperature is detrimental. Similarly, rubber also requires heavy rainfall.The annual average rainfall of not less than 200 cm is optimum. Rubber tree thrives well when the distribution of rainfall is uniformly high all over the year. The equatorial regions of the world are suitable for rubber cultivation.
2. Soil:
Rubber will do well on a wide variety of soils, some of which would be too poor for many crops. Deep, friable, well-drained soils are ideal as they promote root development, and acidic soils are also suitable.
3. Land:
The plain or gently undulating land is suitable for rubber plantations. This land is generally obtained from clearing of forests. The soil erosion is often a problem in tropical areas, when the original forest cover is removed. Sometimes terraces are used to control soil erosion.
4. Economic Conditions:
Among economic conditions labour, capital, transport and market are necessary for proper rubber plantation.
(a) Labour:
It is required for maintenance of plantations, collection of latex, preparation of rubber, nurturing of rubber tree, etc. It is a labour-intensive activity.
(b) Capital:
For cultivation of rubber huge capital is required, especially during first 6-7 years, when income is more or less nil. Capital requirement is necessary for labour wages, plantation cost, processing machines, etc.
(c) Transport:
Both internal and external transport network is necessary for successful rubber cultivation. Internal transport is required for collection of latex and its transportation up to processing centres, while external transportation network is a pre-requisite for export.
(d) Market:
Although, rubber is in great demand but with the development of synthetic rubber its demand has decreased. Market demand encourages the rubber plantation.
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