Case 3: Rubber Plantation Design and Management (Tropical)

Content

Topic Introduction

Natural rubber as one of the world commodity as industrial raw material that integrates livelihood, agriculture, forestry, industry, finance, politics, and environment. The natural rubber based industry has been affected not only by the international market demand, but also rubber industry development strategy, management model, production and operation practices in plantation in particular. Natural rubber plantation has been concentrated to the most suitable areas with favorable climate and regions of poor agricultural and economic basis, resulting in great challenges to the local society, economy and environment. However, challenges for sustainable development of natural rubber have been rising accordingly. This case study aims to help learners engage with rubber plantation management practices and challenges regarding sustainable development using rubber plantation in Thailand as a case study.

By the end of this case study, you should be able to:

Explain what is rubber.
Explain rubber plantation management.
Describe sustainable development using rubber plantation in Thailand.

Readings

Required Readings

(2018). Thailand: world’s top supplier of natural rubber
Chambon, B. et al. (2018). Entrepreunarial and family business farms in Thailand: Who took advantage of the rubber boom? Journal of Asian Rural study 2(2): 173-195.
FAO (2001). The rubber tree. In Non-forest tree plantations. Report based on the work of W. Killmann. Forest Plantation Thematic Papers, Working Paper 6. Forest Resources Development Service, Forest Resources Division. FAO, Rome (unpublished). http:// Links to an external site.fao.org/3/ac126e/ac126e03.htm#bm3 Links to an external site.
Natural rubber https:// Links to an external site.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber Links to an external site.

Supplementary Materials (Optional)

None

Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning only)

Now take a little time to complete an online self-check quiz after finishing required readings and viewing each lecture for this topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self check how well you grasp the fundamental concepts covered in the required readings and lectures for this topic. You will have 5 mins to complete the quiz. You can attempt as many times as you like until you get the full mark.

When you are ready, click the link ‘Self-check Quiz 5.3’ or go to left menu > Quizzes > Self-check Quiz 5.3 to start taking the quiz.

Topic Summary

Rubber trees are not native species to Thailand, despite the long time introduced into the country since 1899, the rubber plantation is still being the potential tree for cultivation and its related industries as the important commodity. The natural latex produced from rubber plantation is depending on the site preparation, management, especially the common diseases and insect. The plantation is gained the interest and planted in various soil type over the Thailand. Today, Thailand is the largest producer and exporter of natural latex. There are 3 groups of rubber varieties available for latex, latex and wood, and only wood production oriented. With specific site suitable for planting, therefore the intensive managements including site quality, site environment, varieties, planting method, disease and insect damages are diversified site management.

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