Socio Economic Profile of Natural Rubber Farmers in Kottayam District Kerala

Rubber is a coherent elastic solid obtained from latex of a number of tropical trees of which Heveabrasiliensis is the familiar. Rubber is widely used for a variety of purposes, from erasing pencil marks to the manufacturing of tyres and tubes and a large variety of industrial products. The main objective of the study is to examine the socio-economic determinants affecting the income of rubber farmers in Kottayam District, identifying the problems faced by them in rubber production, and exploring ways to improve their livelihoods. The study used empirical analysis and regression model. The study found that unlike other vegetable crops, the farmers could nonot diversifyrom rubber plantation, It is not easy for the farmers on it has very long term crop. Though the maintenance of rubber production to get their minimum income. It is because of the decline demand for natural rubber but the low priced synthetic rubber replaced the natural rubber.