Towards a sustainable future for natural rubber smallholders

Singapore – For natural rubber smallholder farmers the task of adapting decades-old farming practices to meet new sustainability requirements is highly complex and challenging.  The transformation being advocated goes beyond the simple distribution of guides or some seeds –  it demands a shift in farmers’ mindset.

However, solutions are within reach if we view things from the farmer’s perspective and understand the factors that prevent or complicate a shift towards sustainable practices. Conversations with smallholders have revealed that fluctuating natural rubber prices and the spread of tree diseases in some regions have led many into challenging times.

These issues have become so pressing that securing the basic necessities for their families overshadows other concerns, including shifting to sustainable farming practices for environmental benefits.  If we can offer solutions to their most pressing problems, we open the door for them to consider sustainable farming.

And of course, we should share real success stories to highlight the benefits and practicality of our solutions, strengthening smallholders’ belief in their effectiveness.

With the funding from our members, Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) has initiated a series of rubber agroforestry workshops designed to educate smallholder farmers.

These workshops focus on promoting the rubber agroforestry system as a means to diversify income in the face of fluctuating natural rubber prices, while also promoting environmental sustainability in rubber plantations.

In 2023-2024, Dr. Eric Penot from CIRAD and Dr. Maria Wang led two agroforestry workshops in Cote d'Ivoire and Indonesia, with an additional workshop planned for Liberia in May 2024.

The workshops in Indonesia provided a unique opportunity for us to interact with two smallholder farmers who have successfully implemented the rubber agroforestry system on their plantations.

Their farms have turned into practical learning sites for workshop participants, offering valuable lessons and, more importantly, acting as concrete, successful examples. They inspire participants currently practicing traditional monoculture by demonstrating the tangible benefits and practicality of transitioning to rubber agroforestry systems.

One of the two farmers, Pak Ariffin, has been growing rubber trees in the southeast of Padang Sidempuan since 2005. Due to the low natural rubber prices, he set out to explore other ways to diversify his source of income and decided to try farming stingless bees in his rubber plantations.

His dedication and hard work have grown the hive count from 35 in 2020 to 60 in 2023. The integration of stingless bee farming has not only increased his income, but also contributed positively to the environment.

The bees coexist with rubber trees, pollinating over 30 flower varieties from nearby forests and highlighting the blend of economic and environmental benefits in rubber agroforestry.

Similarly, Pak Simaputang shifted to rubber agroforestry in 2014 after decades of traditional rubber farming starting in 1996. He decided to start with sugar palm, as he noticed wild sugar palm trees flourished within his rubber plantation.

Over the years, he has diversified his farm by planting a variety of fruit trees, including mangosteen, durian, tamarind, and candlenut. This diversification has not only increased his farm's productivity and income but has also led to a revitalization of local wildlife, with an increase in birds, squirrels, and even wild boars visiting his farm. Pak

Simaputang has become an advocate for agroforestry in his community, actively promoting its practices to peers and family.

Inspired by such stories, Ibu Zuhanim from the Riau provinces plans to apply agroforestry concepts to her rubber plantation.  At the age of 57, she has a long history with the rubber plantation industry dating back to 1997.

Despite the industry's ups and downs, she has maintained a positive outlook on the future of natural rubber, driven by her satisfying and financially rewarding past experiences in rubber farming.

She shared her plans to adopt agroforestry practices on her farm, starting with integrating palm sugar and cinnamon. She is convinced that agroforestry will support her objective of improving the economic and environmental sustainability of her rubber plantation.

The inspiring journeys of these growers show the importance of knowledge-sharing, community-engagement, and the support of initiatives like the GPSNR's agroforestry workshops.

These collaborative efforts have great potential in catalyzing transformative impacts, leading to improvements across the entire supply chain and promoting environmental well-being.

As we navigate through the challenges and opportunities within the natural rubber industry, we must not overlook the importance of supporting smallholder farmers in their transition to sustainable practices, recognising their critical role in the natural rubber supply-chain.

About the author: Chen Chee Wei is an impacts and assurance associate at the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber, focusing on supporting smallholders and enhancing their capabilities.