socio-economic profile of rubber tappers in the small holding sector

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study could not have been possible without the co- operation and
intellectual support of a number of persons, both from the academic and non -academic
fields.
First of all, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Dr. K. Narayanan Nair,
Programme Coordinator, KRPLLD, Centre for Development Studies, for the initiative he
took to get us involved in the activities of KRPLLD and the assistance and guidance
extended for carrying out the project. We are highly indebted to Dr. P. R. Gopinadhan
Nair, Programme Advisor, KRPLLD, for all the advice he has rendered to me at all stages
of the preparation of the project. We wish to acknowledge our grateful thanks to
Dr.G.Christopher and Dr.Praveena, Research Associates, and all other staff of KRPLLD
for the invaluable services they have extended to us.
We take this opportunity to express our thanks to authorities of local bodies and
Rubber Board regional office at Kanjirappally for the services rendered to us during field
investigation.
We wish to thank the staffs of Rubber Board, Kottayam, Rubber Research Institute
of India at Puthuppally, District Labour Office, Kottayam, who were helpful in providing
necessary data and information on the related topic. A large number of small growers,
tappers, management staff of various estates and trade union workers gave us all sorts of
help during field survey. It is only due to their help this work has come to this form. We