A review of studies on rubber small holder sector in Sri Lanka with special reference to cost of production (COP)

Abstract

In Sri Lanka about 72 per cent of the area under rubber consists of small holdings of 20 hectares or less in extent. Therefore small holder sector is responsible for a major share in Sri Lanka's contribution to world natural rubber output. Most of the research done on natural rubber in Sri Lanka, has been geared to the interest of the estate sector. The work done on smallholds sector has been proportionately less. The purpose of this paper is to review the countably few studies done for the small holder sector with special reference to cost of production (COP) aspect. These studies are classified according to objectives, scope of the study and the priority given to COP aspect. The studies which considered COP aspect are further discussed and emphasis is given to significant cost items. Recent practices of COP estimation are also mentioned. Constraints and suggestions for improvement are also discussed.