| Date: |
11-09-2015 |
| Subject: |
Seminar hopes to solve rubber growers' woes in Mangaluru |
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MANGALURU: The All Karnataka Rubber Planter's Association will organize a seminar at Jain Bhavan in Puttur on Friday.
The seminar will be inaugurated by district minister B Ramanath Rai.
The seminar will focus on woes faced by rubber growers in the state. N Sharath Bhandary, president, KRUPA, told reporters that globally, the current annual demand for natural rubber is 11 million tones. "It is estimated to cross 13 million tonnes by 2020. India is the fifth largest producer of natural rubber. The domestic production last year was 6.55 lakh tonnes and 4.22 lakh tonnes was imported, and 55% used by the automotive industry." Noting that the tyre manufacturers are importing natural rubber in large quantities, he said that cost of this product in Bangkok market is Rs 90 and Rs 88, respectively.
The landing cost of rubber from Bangkok works out to be nearly Rs 115/kg after taking into account 25% of import duty, insurance and freight charges. With the drop in price of domestic rubber to Rs 110/ kg, the tapping activity is at an all-time low and re-plantation of trees in jeopardy.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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