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

Commercial banks 940600.00 30.90
Co-operative banks 1104000.00 36.40
Money lenders 132100.00 4.30
Others 864550.00 28.40
Total 3041250.00 100
As the annual income is less than expenditure these households are compelled to
be debtors. Thus, an average amount of Rs. 2413/-, the difference between average
earnings and expenditure, is added annually to the above amount of Rs.15206/-. Thus,
the debt burden is always increasing.
2.2 Details of Tapping
Generally tapping is a process of ‘controlled wounding’ during which the shavings
of bark are removed. The important factors responsible for harvesting a rubber tree are
the hight of opening, slope and direction of tapping cut, etc. Skilled tapping is necessary
for the good health of rubber tree and for maintaining the longevity of its production
period. According to the survey only 56 percent of the tappers are aware of the
recommendations of the Rubber Board.
Tapping system varies from clone to clone. Generally budded trees are tapped as
half spiral alternate daily system and seedlings as half spiral third daily system. To avoid
tapping panel disease, the Rubber Board recommends third daily system. More over there
are intensive tapping systems such as high level tapping, controlled upward tapping and
puncture tapping .
(Tble2.11)
Out of 200 sample tappers about 90 percent follow half spiral alternative system