Farming systems research for the small farm rubber sector

Goldthorpe C. C., . Farming systems research for the small farm rubber sector. pp. 99-110. ISSN 0127-7065

Smallholding and large-scale plantation agriculture are two distinct farming systems for the production of tropical perennial export crops. The farm management characteristics of smallholding rubber production are that it is a low input/low output system of agriculture. Rubber estate production is a farming system based on high levels of inputs and outputs. The research requirements of small farm and plantation production technology therefore differ. Rubber research programmes in previous years have concentrated on production techniques appropriate for the estate sector. This neglect of research into the specific needs of peasant farmers has led to generally poor acceptance and uptake of innovations by the smallholding sector. Research programmes that take a farming systems perspective are likely to identify new technologies for increasing the productivity of small rubber growers. New rubber cultivars and farm management practices selected for the specific agro-ecosystems and socio-economic circumstances of smallholding agriculture are more likely to be adopted by peasant farmers compared to production systems designed for plantations. Productivity hence farm incomes may be expected to improve with the implementation of production technologies identified for the small farm sector.

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Abstract

Smallholding and large-scale plantation agriculture are two distinct farming systems for the production of tropical perennial export crops. The farm management characteristics of smallholding rubber production are that it is a low input/low output system of agriculture. Rubber estate production is a farming system based on high levels of inputs and outputs. The research requirements of small farm and plantation production technology therefore differ. Rubber research programmes in previous years have concentrated on production techniques appropriate for the estate sector. This neglect of research into the specific needs of peasant farmers has led to generally poor acceptance and uptake of innovations by the smallholding sector. Research programmes that take a farming systems perspective are likely to identify new technologies for increasing the productivity of small rubber growers. New rubber cultivars and farm management practices selected for the specific agro-ecosystems and socio-economic circumstances of smallholding agriculture are more likely to be adopted by peasant farmers compared to production systems designed for plantations. Productivity hence farm incomes may be expected to improve with the implementation of production technologies identified for the small farm sector.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Rubber industry
AGROVOC Term:	Farming systems
AGROVOC Term:	Small scale farming
AGROVOC Term:	Farm management
AGROVOC Term:	Crop production
AGROVOC Term:	On-farm research
AGROVOC Term:	Plant production
AGROVOC Term:	New technology
AGROVOC Term:	Agricultural products
AGROVOC Term:	Productivity
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	28 Apr 2025 05:15
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/23576

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