Value Chain Management of Rubber: A Study with Special Reference to Rubbermark

The project on ‘Value Chain Management of Rubber: A study with special reference to Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation Ltd. (Rubbermark)  aims to identify and map the value chain of Rubber, analyse the role of Rubbermark in the chain, point out the constraints faced by the different actors and suggest possible solutions. The study includes Rubbermark, Alwaye Kunnathunad Co-operative Rubber Marketing Society, rubber farmers, processing units such as Rubek Balloon factory, Intermix factory and Crumb rubber factory. The actors are spread over both Ernakulam and Kottayam Districts. The study was based on primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through structured interview schedule, questionnaires, checklist and discussions with the actors. The tools used for the study are value chain mapping, growth index and percentage analysis.

The study identified that the cost of production incurred by Rubbermark factories were very high. Over emphasis on Rules, Regulations and Sanctions and high quality specifications decreases the profitability of the Federation. Variability in the price of rubber sheet and scrap makes the product costly. The problems encountered by each actor were analysed and some policy interventions were also recommended. While analysing the role of Rubbermark in the value chain management of rubber, it indirectly provides assistance to the farmers. But the farmers were totally ignorant about these schemes. The Rubbermark has to take more measures to directly support the actors in the industry and make the value chain more effective.