Rubber Prices Research Articles

Socio-Demographic Profile, Farming Challenges and Local Government Unit (LGU) Support to Rubber Farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga Del Norte: A Pre and Actual Pandemic Analysis

This study investigates the socio-demographic profile, farming challenges, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) support to rubber farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. The research employed a pre and actual-pandemic analysis to assess the effectiveness of LGU extension services in empowering rubber farmers. Data from 50 rubber farmers across 15 barangays were analyzed using a descriptive-correlation method. Findings reveal that rubber farmers in Tampilisan are predominantly middle-aged, have a high school education level, and have low monthly incomes. Farmers engage in diverse farming practices, including intercropping and integrated farming systems, demonstrating adaptive strategies for income diversification. While participation in LGU extension services was high before the pandemic, it significantly declined during the pandemic due to restrictions and limitations. Farmers identified several key challenges, including low rubber prices, capital constraints, and lack of skilled labor, which persisted before and during the pandemic. Despite these challenges, farmers reported moderate agreement on the benefits derived from LGU extension services, particularly regarding education for their children and food security for their families. Findings also suggest that farmers' income correlates with the types of crops planted, indicating that diversifying crops like coconut, banana, and fruit trees can lead to increased income. More so, the correlation between farmer participation and the acquisition of farming tools and planting materials underscores the positive impact of active engagement on resource access. Analyzing the above results, the study revealed the importance of sustained farmer engagement in extension services for enhancing agricultural resilience and livelihood sustainability. The insights elicited from this study include strengthening technical training and infrastructure, promoting farmer group participation, and fostering collaboration between the Local Government Unit (LGU), educational institutions, and government agencies to ensure the effectiveness of extension programs and support sustainable rubber farming practices in Tampilisan.

A comprehensive study on the livelihood implications of transitioning from cocoa to rubber plantation in Ghana

The study, conducted in Manso Amenfi, Western Region, Ghana, explored the livelihood implications of transitioning from cocoa to rubber plantations. Using a cross-sectional survey with 384 participants, data revealed a decline in cocoa production levels. The socioeconomic factors that influence farmers’ land use shift behaviour were age, household size, being a household head, farm size, educational level, access extension and labour availability. The knowledge factor that was ranked first as influencing farmers shift behaviour was high price of rubber while the behavioural factor was the farmers’ personal belief that rubber plantation will do well than cocoa. The farmers agreed that rubber plantation has effect on their livelihood. The study recommends interventions to make cocoa cultivation more profitable, addressing concerns like low prices, pests, diseases, and soil fertility, emphasizing the need for support from agricultural extension officers, the Ghana Cocoa Board, and the government.

Influence Price, Production Rubber and Income on The Level of Welfare of Rubber Farmers in The Village Ranto Jior District River Right Regency Port Rock South

ABSTRACT This research aims to determine the impact of price, rubber production, and income on the welfare level of rubber farmers in Ranto Jior Village, Sungai Kana District, South Labuhan Batu Regency. Using a quantitative method with multiple linear regression analysis supported by SPSS version 23, data were collected through questionnaires. The study's population was the residents of Ranto Jior Village, with a sample size of 100 people selected using probability sampling based on the Lemeshow formula. The findings reveal that the welfare of rubber farmers is significantly and positively influenced by rubber prices, rubber production, and income. All three factors—price, rubber production, and income—together significantly influence the welfare of rubber farmers in Ranto Jior Village. The determination test shows that these factors account for 92.8% of the variance in welfare, indicating a very strong influence.

Trend TSR 20 rubber prices between producing countries in Southeast Asia

Natural Rubber is one of the world's largest commodities used for industrial needs. The price of TSR 20 rubber continues to fluctuate, which has a significant impact on some farmers in various countries. This study analyzes the price trend of TSR 20 rubber in Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study is to analyze trends and fluctuations in STR 20 rubber prices in Southeast Asia, such as Standar Thailand Rubber (STR 20), Standar Indonesia Rubber (SIR 20), Standar Vietnam Rubber (SVR 20), and Standar Malaysia Rubber (SMR 20) for 72 months from January 2017 - December 2022. This research uses trend analysis with simple linear regression method. This research uses the historical method by conducting research on a source which is then critically analyzed. Data collection techniques are obtained by tracing data and documents that have been stored by agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, International Rubber Study Group (IRSG), Singapore Commodity Exchange (SICOM), Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), The World Bank, and Gapkindo as well as existing literature and sites. The results obtained are positive trends where each development between countries has experienced a positive price increase, such as, STR 20 has a polynomial line equation Y = 0.0331x2 – 95,28x + 68596, then SIR 20 Y = 0.0231x2 -66,443 + 47966, SVR 20 Y = 0,0301x2 – 86,824x+ 62648, and SMR 20 Y = 0,0279x2 – 80,411x + 58010.

Optimization Of Carica Fruit Jelly Candy Formula: Study Of Proportions Of Carica Fruit Pure And Bovine Gelatin

Carica is one of the fruits that can be found in the Dieng Plateau, Wonosobo Regency. Carica fruit has a unique taste, distinctive aroma and chewy flesh. It has a sour, bitter and gum taste which can cause itching, so this fruit is only good for consumption if it has been processed first. One example is by processing it into jelly candy. This study aims to: (1) determine the proportions of puree carica and gelatine to produce carica jelly candy products that have a response of elasticity, cohesiveness, carica taste, softness, and maximum preference, yellow color in range, and minimum stickiness; (2) knowing the sensory characteristics of the jelly candy product with the formula recommended by the Design Expert program; (3) determination of the price of rubber between the optimum formula jelly candy product and the control. This study used the RSM (Response Surface Methodology) method with a CCD (Central Composite Design) experimental design consisting of 2 factors and 2 blocks to obtain 14 treatment combinations. The data obtained were analyzed using Design Expert software V.10 and SPSS IBM Statistics V.25 using a 95% T-test. The results of this study were the optimum carica fruit jelly candy formula with the proportion of carica fruit puree 28.85% and gelatine 12.75% with a desirability value of 0.75. Increasing the proportion of pure carica fruit causes an increase in the intensity of carica taste and yellow color. While the addition of gelatin gave an increase in the elasticity, cohesiveness, stickiness and level of preference of the panelists. The results of chemical tests on carica fruit jelly candy with optimum formula and control were the optimum product had higher moisture content, ash content, protein content, and vitamin C than the control product.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Indonesian Natural Rubber Exports

The aim of this research is to determine and analyze the short-term and long-term influence of Indonesian natural rubber production variables, international consumption, and international natural rubber prices on Indonesian natural rubber exports. This research was carried out using Time series data for the period 1989-2022 using numerical calculations of research variables using the Error Correction Model (ECM) analysis method assisted by EViews12 software. The population used in this research is information on Indonesian Natural Rubber Exports for 1989-2022. As a result of the analysis and discussion that has been carried out, it can be concluded that: Indonesian Natural Rubber Production has a positive influence in both the long and short term on Indonesian Natural Rubber Exports. International Natural Rubber Consumption in the long term has an insignificant influence with a negative correlation on the volume of Indonesian Natural Rubber Exports. International Natural Rubber Prices in both the long and short term have an insignificant influence with a positive correlation on Indonesian Natural Rubber Exports.

The Influence Of Rubber Prices On The Income Of Rubber Farmers In Payaraman West District Ogan Ilir District

This research aims to investigate the influence of rubber prices on economic activity and community welfare in Payaraman Barat Village, Ogan Ilir Regency. The study utilizes a data collection method through a Likert Scale questionnaire. The population in this research includes all rubber farmers, totaling 320 households. The sample is determined using Purposive Sampling technique with the Slovin formula, resulting in a sample size of 77 individuals for this study. Data analysis is conducted using classical assumption tests and simple linear regression analysis. From the research results, it was found that the t-value (2.310) is greater than the t-table value (0.2242), with a significance level of 0.024. Since the significance value of t (0.024) is less than 0.05, it can be concluded that rubber prices have a significant influence on the income of rubber farmers in Payaraman Barat Village, Ogan Ilir Regency.

Rubber-Based Agroforestry Systems Associated with Food Crops: A Solution for Sustainable Rubber and Food Production?

Agroforestry is often seen as a sustainable land-use system for agricultural production providing ecosystem services. Intercropping with food crops leads to equal or higher productivity than monoculture and results in food production for industry and subsistence. Low rubber price and low labor productivity in smallholdings have led to a dramatic conversion of rubber plantations to more profitable crops. The literature analysis performed in this paper aimed at better understanding the ins and outs that could make rubber-based agroforestry more attractive for farmers. A comprehensive search of references was conducted in March 2023 using several international databases and search engines. A Zotero library was set up consisting of 415 scientific references. Each reference was carefully read and tagged in several categories: cropping system, country, main tree species, intercrop type, intercrop product, level of product use, discipline of the study, research topic, and intercrop species. Of the 232 journal articles, 141 studies were carried out on rubber agroforestry. Since 2011, the number of studies per year has increased. Studies on rubber-based agroforestry systems are performed in most rubber-producing countries, in particular in Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Brazil. These studies focus more or less equally on perennials (forest species and fruit trees), annual intercrops, and mixed plantations. Of the 47 annual crops associated with rubber in the literature, 20 studies dealt with rice, maize, banana, and cassava. Agronomy is the main discipline in the literature followed by socio-economy and then ecology. Only four papers are devoted to plant physiology and breeding. The Discussion Section has attempted to analyze the evolution of rubber agroforestry research, progress in the selection of food crop varieties adapted to agroforestry systems, and to draw some recommendations for rubber-based agroforestry systems associated with food crops.

The Impact of Rubber Price Fluctuations on Community Welfare and Consumption Patterns in Rengas 1 Village, Payaraman District, Ogan Ilir Regency from an Islamic Economic Perspective

This research aims to determine the impact of rubber price fluctuations on welfare and consumption patterns in Rengas 1 village, Payaraman subdistrict, Ogan Ilir district from an Islamic economic perspective. This includes prices, welfare and consumption according to an Islamic economic perspective. This type of research is field research with a qualitative descriptive approach. Types of research data: primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews, documentation. Data analysis techniques for data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Rubber farmer research respondents. The results of this research are that as a result of fluctuations in the price of rubber, people's income is unstable, so their interest in buying is reduced, they have difficulty continuing their children's education, they are in debt at the bank, as a result , the welfare of the people of Rengas 1 village cannot be met, so they cannot be said to be prosperous but are included in the pre-prosperous community group. . The welfare and consumption patterns of the people of Rengas 1 village are in accordance with Islamic law. The income obtained is used in accordance with Islamic law and is obtained through halal business and used in a halal way.

Towards a sustainable business model for rubber agroforestry in Indonesia

Agroforestry systems, particularly rubber agroforests, are crucial for Dayak communities in Indonesia, providing economic benefits and vital assets for their livelihoods. Two common types in Simpang Dua sub-district are tembawang (traditional fruit gardens) and rubber agroforests. Both have flourished for generations but they now face threats of conversion due to declining rubber prices and the oil palm boom. Tembawang is considered more resilient due to better protection of tenure rights under local customary law and its greater provision of socioeconomic benefits. In some instances, rubber agroforests are only maintained because of their deep rooted social and cultural importance, but they have potential to still be economically valuable. Rubber agroforests can provide a diversified income, offering resilience against volatile rubber markets, and although oil palm provides higher income in the short term, rubber agroforests can provide higher income over the entire system cycle. Long-term financing is essential to improve yields and product quality, to support smallholder rubber agroforests, but obtaining this type of financing is difficult. Obstacles include low rubber prices, poor-quality latex, a lack of productivity of agroforestry crops and low attention from investors, financiers, and markets. Non-commercial financial support, including technical support, could help strengthen farming practices and market-based instruments, including carbon payments, could help stabilise farmers' income. The expansion, however, of large-scale oil palm plantations has shifted the rural labour force from rubber smallholders to plantation workers. Efforts to address these challenges include the establishment of a rubber processing and collective marketing unit, UPPB, to improve market access and prices for smallholder farmers. Founded in 2022, the unit aims to arrange collective marketing and provide technical capacity for farmers to meet the specifications of Standard Indonesia Rubber. By aggregating rubber slabs, farmers can earn up to 25% higher prices than individual farmers, but irregular supplies from farmers and low prices are affecting their success. Despite facing challenges, local farmers' groups remain resilient in organising themselves to improve their systems with the support of NGOs. Commitment from government and private sector stakeholders is additionally needed to further promote sustainable and inclusive rubber agroforestry businesses.

Rubber plantation size and global rubber price are linked to forest loss and degradation in Jambi, Sumatra

AbstractNatural rubber cultivation is one of the main drivers of tropical deforestation and biodiversity loss. This study examines regulatory and socio‐economic conditions that increase the susceptibility of rubber plantations to deforestation and degradation, aiming to support zero‐deforestation pledges and sustainability commitments made by the natural rubber industry. By combining bottom‐up socio‐economic survey data from rubber smallholder farmers in Indonesia with top‐down spatial datasets on forest loss and degradation, this study identifies factors associated with deforestation, tree cover loss, and degradation of high‐risk plantations. In Jambi Province, Indonesia, from 1991 to 2018, the overall tree cover loss in areas adjacent to rubber plantations was positively correlated to plantation size, remoteness (travel time to cities), and distance to the nearest protected areas, indicating that larger, remotely located plantations likely expanded more into forests between 2000 and 2018. Similarly, tropical forest degradation was positively associated with plantation size, travel time to cities, and distance to protected areas. A higher rubber price in the preceding year correlated with increased annual deforestation and forest degradation, whereas lower prices had the opposite effect. These results suggest that monitoring price changes and identifying plantations that are near non‐protected forest frontiers could enable early detection and potential mitigation of deforestation threats.

Introducing Gliricidia sepium as a Fuel Wood in Rubber Smallholdings of Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Kalutara District


 A pilot project has been initiated to introduce Gliricidia sepium with Hevea brasiliensis under three different spatial arrangements ((i.)8'×27', (ii.)8'×40, and (iii.)88'×60’) as a fuel wood to improve the income status of rubber smallholders in Kalutara District by Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka in 2018. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey and field observations. The financial analysis was done for one hectare of smallholding. Certain assumptions were made in the financial feasibility analysis as financial analysis was done for 30 years giving consideration to the 30 year life span of rubber. Costs and benefits were discounted at 10% discount rate as practiced by the Department of National Planning to obtain 2019 market prices. The farm gate prices of 1kg of rubber and Gliricidia were considered as LKR 280.00 and LKR 4.00. The cost for hired labour was considered LKR 1,500.00 per day. Period of intercropping of Gliricida under rubber in the 88'×40' and 88'×60' models was considered as 30 years and in the 88'×27' model, it was considered as eight years. Financial feasibility of models was tested using the indices of Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR). A qualitative SWOT was conducted to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relevant to introduction of Gliricidia as an intercrop in rubber plantations based on a thorough documentation review and on the opinions of Rubber Extension Officers. From the three models introduced, the highest fuel wood value can be obtained by intercropping Gliricidia with rubber under the spacing of 88'×60'. NPV for growing gliricidia with rubber under three different spatial arrangements, (i.)88'×27', (ii.)88'×40' and (iii.)88'×60' would be LKR 0.74 million, LKR 5.47 million and LKR 5.89 million respectively. The values obtain for BCR for growing gliricidia with rubber under three different spatial arrangements, (i.)88'×27', (ii.)88'×40' and (iii.)88'×60' would be 1.37, 2.26 and 2.27, respectively. All fuel wood growing models indicated positive NPV and BC Ratios were greater than one, suggesting that these introduced models are economically viable. Although there are no established market channels available for fuel wood especially in the smallholder rubber sector of Sri Lanka, there is a demand for Gliricidia which is fulfilled through adhoc markets. Also, development of sustainable supply chains through setting up of Pilot Biomass Energy Terminals with the objective of collection and distribution of fuel wood under the Project of Promoting Sustainable Biomass Energy Production and Modern Bio-Energy Technologies has widened the opportunity of using Gliricidia as a promising fuel wood species Gliricidia with rubber has the potential to improve income generation of rubber smallholders substantially especially during the immature stage of rubber and provide a solution to overcome uncertainty in rubber prices and low productivity of rubber lands.
 
 Keywords: Fuel wood growing models, Rubber farming

The Impact of Decreasing Rubber Prices on Consumption Patterns of Society from the Perspective of Islamic Economics (A Case Study in Padang Pelawi Village, Sukaraja District, Seluma Regency)

This study aims to find out how the consumption pattern of the people in Padang Pelawi Village was before and after the decline in the selling price of rubber and what was the Islamic economic view of the consumption patterns of the people in Padang Pelawi Village after before and after the decline in the selling price of rubber. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach using field research types. The results of this study indicate that when the price of rubber before the decline in the consumption pattern of the people in Padang Pelawi Village could still be fulfilled properly. However, after the decline in the selling price of rubber, the consumption pattern of the people in Padang Pelawi Village was very difficult in terms of meeting their needs. Because of this, rubber farmers in Padang Pelawi Village sometimes look for other solutions, such as borrowing money from their neighbors and taking loans from food stalls. The view of Islamic economics on the consumption patterns of the people in Padang Pelawi Village is still not in accordance with Islamic consumption values. First, when the price of rubber is rising, people are often wasteful in terms of consuming something. Second, some people in Padang Pelawi Village spend their wealth only in halal forms and some people in Padang Pelawi Village also take actions that are not in accordance with Islamic teachings, namely by weighing the rubber latex so that it becomes heavy when weighed. Third, the people in Padang Pelawi village live in a luxurious style by buying expensive goods, but after that these items are no longer used.

Forecasting natural rubber prices using commodity market indicators: a machine learning approach

Forecasting natural rubber prices using commodity market indicators: a machine learning approach

Forecasting natural rubber prices using commodity market indicators: a machine learning approach

Forecasting natural rubber prices using commodity market indicators: a machine learning approach

Factors affecting natural rubber prices in Thailand

Factors affecting natural rubber prices in Thailand

Factors affecting natural rubber prices in Thailand.

Factors affecting natural rubber prices in Thailand.

GROWTH AND YIELD OF RUBBER TREE (Hevea brasiliensis) CLON PB260 FROM DIFFERENT OF WEED ECOSYSTEM

Community rubber tree plantations in Indonesia are the main source of national natural rubber production and a source of income for farmers. Low rubber price has limit farmers' ability to control weeds using herbicides and mechanically. This situation causes the formation of three ecosystem conditions based on the level of weed growth, namely well-maintained plantations, shrubs on rubber plantations, and forests on rubber plantations. Therefore, this research studied and compared tree growth and rubber yields from three of weed ecosystems. Field research was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three ecosystems as treatments and three replications. Three plots of size (10 m x 10 m) were made for each weed ecosystem in the rubber plantation, and three sam-pling rubber trees were selected so that the number of rubber trees observed was 9 trees for each ecosystem. Based on ANOVA, it showed that the weed ecosystem had a significant effect on the yield of rubber trees. Trees maintained well had the highest lumps (537 kg/6monts/ha), not significantly different from forested rubber trees (478 kg/6monts/ha. The dominant weeds in each ecosystem were Hevea brasiliensis and Acacia auriculiformis. Forested plantations had higher yields relatively more stable, producing lumps per week of 107.55 g/tree to 188.15 g/tree.

ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF NATURAL RUBBER EXPORTS IN THE GLOBAL MARKET (COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ITRC COUNTRIES: INDONESIA, THAILAND, AND MALAYSIA)

The objectives of this study are 1) to find out how the potential competitiveness of Indonesian, Thailand, and Malaysian natural rubber exports in the global market compares in terms of their comparative advantages 2) to find out how the comparison of the effect of the exchange rate, production, and the international price of natural rabber on the competitiveness of Indonesian, Thailand, and Malaysian natural rubber export in the global market. The method used in this study is a quantitative method with Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) analysis tools to analyze the export competitiveness of Indonesian, Thailand, and Malaysian natural rubber based on their comparative advantage, and multiple linear regression with the ordinary least square (OLS) method. 1) The results of this study indicate that for Indonesia the average competitiveness of natural rubber exports is 0.9330, while Thailand is 0.9338, and Malaysia is 0.7763. 2) The results of multiple linear regression show that the exchange rate and production variables have no significant effect on the competitiveness of Indonesian and Thailand natural rubber exports, while the international price variable for natural rubber has a significant effect on the competitiveness of Indonesian and Thailand natural rubber exports. And for Malaysia, it shows that the three variables, the exchange rate, production, and international prices of natural rubber have a significant effect on the competitivenss of Malaysia’s natural rubber exports.
 
 Keywords: ITRC country’s natural rubber export competitiveness, Exchange Rates, Production, and International Price of Natural Rubber.

PELATIHAN PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN PENGURUS ASOSIASI PETANI KARET KUANTAN SINGINGI (APKARKUSI) DALAM DIGITALISASI PEMASARAN KARET

Riau Province is the third largest rubber producer in Indonesia in 2021. Kuantan Singingi Regency has the largest rubber area in Riau with an area of 126,240 Ha and production of 82,375 tons (BPS Riau Province, 2022). This district usually has the highest rubber price compared to other districts, because farmers in this district who are members of farmer groups market rubber with an auction system through the Kuantan Singingi Rubber Farmers Association (APKARKUSI). This institution fosters farmers who are members of farmer groups spread across 6 (six) sub-districts. This Community Service activity carried out at APKARKUSI in the form of Capacity Building Training for the Management of the Kuantan Singingi Rubber Farmers Association (APKARKUSI) in Digitalizing Rubber Marketing. The target of this PKM activity is members of APKARKUSI Kuantan Singingi Regency.