Alakkode: Rubber farmers are staring at hard times as latex production has nosedived, despite being the best time for rubber production, due to the shedding of leaves. The production has gone down to less than half of what it was last year. The foliage has been shedding severely due to bacterial infection during the heavy rains. Although it’s been months since the rains have subsided, new leaves have still not appeared on the rubber trees.

Sap production has become scarce despite being in season as healthy foliage of leaves are essential. The extended monsoon seasons this year didn’t help even the farmers who had put on rain guards above the trees. However, the rubber prices refuse to climb even though the latex production has gone down. Latex price has remained below ₹185 per kilo for some time.

Meanwhile, rubber farmers stare at severe financial crisis as the production has decreased with no signs of improvement in price. Although ₹600 crore was set aside in the 2024 – 25 budget for giving incentives for rubber farmers, the government didn’t have to spend even a penny.

This is because the market price is more than the base price declared by the government. Meanwhile, the government has not responded favourably to the farmers’ demand to raise the base price to ₹250 per kilo.