Windfall for rubber tappers
Friday, 14 March 2008
TANJONG MALIM, March 3 (Bernama): It's not unusual for rubber tappers to earn between RM200 and RM300 a day, depending on the size of their plantation and the number of rain-free days.
The windfall and high price came through an initiative by the world's three largest natural rubber producing countries -- Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand -- which established the International Tripartite Rubber Company (Itrco) in 2002 to improve the rubber price.
From just RM2.42 a kg in 2000 and RM2.85 in 2002, the price went up to RM8.26 last month and is now hovering at about RM7.50.
The windfall and high price came through an initiative by the world's three largest natural rubber producing countries -- Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand -- which established the International Tripartite Rubber Company (Itrco) in 2002 to improve the rubber price.
From just RM2.42 a kg in 2000 and RM2.85 in 2002, the price went up to RM8.26 last month and is now hovering at about RM7.50.