Rubber Boom, Worker Shortage: Kerala Farmers Face Labor Crisis

The rubber industry in Kerala is experiencing a resurgence, driven by rising prices and favorable weather conditions. However, a severe labor shortage is threatening to derail this positive trend. Farmers, particularly small-scale rubber producers who rely heavily on rubber income, are finding it increasingly difficult to find tappers. This shortage stems from workers migrating to other sectors like construction and transportation during the previous low-price period. Many tappers also stopped working due to heavy rains during the monsoon season. The current situation is creating a significant challenge for farmers, as the lack of tappers limits their ability to capitalize on the favorable market conditions. With the price of rubber now significantly higher, tappers are demanding a larger share of the earnings, leading to negotiations between them and the farmers. Some farmers are forced to agree to a 50/50 split of the rubber sheet profits, while others struggle to find tappers even with these concessions.