By Geena Paul
Allegedly, rubber sector in Kerala is facing a crisis following the Central government decision to ban futures trade in natural rubber. But, Kerala, the land of latex, is least bothered.
You take a ride through the village roads in Kerala. You can see, thousands of modern luxury cars zipping past you in break-neck speed.
The reason for this luxury is not just the dollars from foreign shores. Another basic reason for this prosperity is the high price of natural rubber in the market.
Ask K V Thomas, a rubber grower from Neriamangalam in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, about the impact of the ban.
He is least bothered about the ban. Says Thomas: “As far as the international prices remain the same, the ban on rubber futures will not affect growers in Kerala. And, farmers are now aware of the international market movements. So, they are not worried. At present, one kg of grade 4 natural rubber fetches a farmer around Rs 116. This price is not higher than the international prices.”
“If somebody wants to import natural rubber they will have to pay more than this in the global market. So, rubber farmers have nothing to fear about a price crash at present,” adds Thomas.
This is the opinion of several growers in Kerala. So, if the Centre thought that the ban on rubber Futures will rein in prices and scare growers, it was not so.
