Amidst the spread of the rubber leaf curing disease (Circular Leaf Spot Disease-CLSD), the rubber export industry is already forced to import almost 50% of the country’s requirement, whereas, if the fast-spreading airborne fungal disease continues, they have to import a minimum 25% more, learns The Daily Morning Business.

Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) Director General Sisira Ranatunga expressing concern, stated: “The Airborne fungal disease is very challenging to the export rubber industry because we can't see any concrete plan. Even the authorities are working on that.” 

He said that if this continues it will be further challenged and there is a serious issue per the research and the surveys and that the current import of raw rubber will be increased by another 25%.

Moreover, the latest rubber market report by Forbes & Walker Commodity Brokers revealed that about 51% of rubber plantations have been affected by the Circular Leaf Spot Disease (CLSD).  

He also pointed out that all the government agencies and the research institute should focus on this factor since as an industry is concerned, they see a lot of drawbacks because the volume is “very low.” Also the productivity is very low, Ranatunga added. 

Ranatunga explained that the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) and the Ministry of Plantation Industries need to take up this issue seriously. Otherwise, the manufacturers will be having a big issue with the significant drop in productivity. 

Due to the continuous drop in productivity as a result of a cluster of recurring diseases, most of the rubber lands are now being converted to other crops such as palm trees, since the Government is planning on lifting the palm oil cultivation ban.