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

Most of the women tappers are compelled to undertake household works after the
heavy job of tapping. The continuous engagement in house hold works and tapping from
dawn to desk makes the general health conditions of women tappers poor. The study
reveals that the participation of women in tapping does not improve appreciably the level
of individual independence and participation in family decision making.
In brief, the decline in the world rubber economy and trade liberalisation policies
of the nation have drastically affected the price of the natural rubber in India. This, in
turn, adversely affect the income of small-scale rubber growers and the socio- economic
conditions of rubber tappers. More over, Disappointed with the decreasing remuneration,
growers are reluctant to adopt better techniques of rubber cultivation and tapping. The
subsequent fall in the growth of productivity increases the gravity of the crisis.