Consultation-Workshop Output Feb.14, 2009 Apo View Hotel, Davao City RUBBER Consultation-Workshop Output Feb.14, 2009 Apo View Hotel, Davao City

PROFILE Very profitable agri-industrial crop Labor-intensive thus benefitting hundreds of thousands of Mindanao farmers Booming ($) since 2004 until Q4 of 2008 D.A. estimates: 1.2 M hectares in Mindanao can be planted to rubber International Rubber Forum: Global demand and use of natural rubber will progressively increase- 15M tons in 2035

ISSUES / CONCERNS: RECOMMENDATIONS PRODUCTION PROCESSING MARKETING OTHERS RECOMMENDATIONS

I. PRODUCTION CONCERNS Declining quality and low productivity due to poor technology and senility of trees Introduction of and access to high yielding clones (DA) Training on new rubber farm technologies (DA, TESDA) Utilization of modern technology for better market opportunities (DA, TESDA)

I. PRODUCTION CONCERNS Aging pool of technical experts Training of young farmers to become the new pool of experts (DA, TESDA, “Local Experts”, Private Consultants) Poor farming techniques Training on new rubber farm technologies (DA, TESDA, Schools)

PRODUCTION CONCERNS High cost of production inputs Govt subsidy to support farmers’ needs on fertilizers, planting materials, farmers’ basic needs, etc. (DA, DOLE, LGUs, NFA) Unutilized land area suitable for natural rubber Massive rubber planting (rubber growers/farmers)

Improve growers’ access to high-yielding clones I. PRODUCTION CONCERNS support to business groups Improve growers’ access to high-yielding clones Technology and research support Standardization of quality of produce (DA, TESDA, Experts)  

II. PROCESSING CONCERNS Lack of infra support (e.g., road network from farm to processing facilities) Antiquated processing plants Farm-to-market roads Rehabilitation of antiquated processing plants (DPWH, LGU, DA, LBP, DBP)  

II. PROCESSING CONCERNS Lack of technology/training on village-type processing Establishing/strengthening village-type processing plant Training on operation of village- type processing plant (DA, TESDA, DOST, Experts)  

II. PROCESSING CONCERNS No rubber testing laboratory Establishment of rubber testing laboratory (DA, DOST) Lack of raw material to maximize use of available processing facilities Intensification of planting activity for higher volume of produce (Farmers/Growers, LGU/LAs)  

II. PROCESSING CONCERNS support to business Low Interest credit facility for rubber-based businesses Support for rehabilitation of processing facilities Support for village-type processing initiatives and linking them to big processors (GFIs, LGU /LAs)  

III. MARKETING CONCERNS Defective weighing scales of unscrupulous traders Establish Timbangan ng Bayan (DTI, LGUs) Lack of established Buying Stations Establish accessible and regulated buying stations (DTI, LGUs)  

III. MARKETING CONCERNS Adulterated rubber products Standardization of quality produce Intensive farmer education Unorganized rubber farmers resulting in low-volume marketing Organization of farmers/ strengthening of existing org. for product consolidation in marketing (DTI, BRW-DOLE, NGOs, LGUs)  

III. MARKETING CONCERNS support to business Adulterated rubber products Standardization of quality produce (DA, DTI, Traders)  

III. MARKETING CONCERNS Illegal shipment of raw materials/produce (depriving processing plant workers of gainful employment) Government regulation / legislation that will prohibit “backdoor trading” (DTI, LGUs, Legislators)  

IV. OTHER CONCERNS Lack of national direction for the Rubber Industry No policy making and regulating body to support the industry Creation of a Rubber Board/Authority by act of Congress (Legislators, LAs, Farmers)  

IV. OTHER CONCERNS Social Protection Concerns Inability to pay social obligations – sss, philhealth & pag-ibig Extension of condonation program (SSS/PHILHEALTH/PAG-IBIG)  

IV. OTHER CONCERNS Inability to pay production loans and land amortization (for rubber cooperatives) Condonation of loan interests/penalties (LBP,DBP, DAR)  

High level of underemployment IV. OTHER CONCERNS High level of underemployment Livelihood program/skills training (DOLE, TESDA, LGUs) Denudation of forest lands Promotion of alternative reforestation program through massive rubber planting (DENR, LGUs, farmers, IPs, Youths)  

The RUBBER makers, users and lovers… Farmers and NGOs – 4 Businessmen - 2 Consultant - 1 LGU - 4 GAs - 9 20

Happy Valentine!