This presentation provides insights on how rubber is cultivated and its processing. Rubber is obtained from latex of Rubber tree. As being raw products of mostly used items(rubber), knowledge on its farming and processing is very importance. In case of Nepal, it acts as a cash crop and provides a substantial income generation opportunities for marginalized farmers.

2. Cultivation and processing of Rubber
Presented By :
Sandesh Wagle
Sharmila Dhakal
Bsc. Ag ( 3rd
Semester)
AFU

3. Introduction
• Common Name : Indian Rubber
• Scientific Name: Hevea brasiliensis
• Family : Euphorbiaceae
• Sturdy , quick & tall growing
• Well developed tap root and
laterals , small unisexual flowers
• Latex vessels present in all parts
of tree except wood

4. Origin and distribution
• Native of Amazon basin
• Malaysia , Indonesia , Thailand and Africa are major rubber producing
countries
In Nepal,
• Started in 2046 B.S. by Gorkhali Rubber Industry in Jhapa district
• Major producing districts : Jhapa , Morang , Illam , Sunsari
• 553 ha of land under cultivation
• Annual production : 1.1 ton/ha , More than 98% import

5. Properties of Rubber
• High strength
• Low heat build up
• Better resistance to wear and flex cracking

6. Potential cultivation area in Nepal
• Mainly , districts of Lower Eastern Nepal ( Jhapa , Morang, Sunsari
and Ilam )
• Other promising potential districts are : Saptari , Chitwan ,
Nawalparasi , Lower belts of Gorkha , Lamjung , Tanahu

7. Species
• Manihot glaziovil ( Ceara Rubber)
• Castiola elastica ( Panama rubber)
• Havea brassiliensis ( Para rubber) : Mostly cultivated natural rubber
• Ficus elastica ( Indian rubber) : Indoor Rubber

10. Climate and Soil
• Annual rainfall of 200-300 cm
• Warm humid temperature ( 21° C – 35 ° C)
• Humidity : 70-80 %
• Well drained , aerated soil
• Soil pH : 4.5-6.5 ( ideal 5.5)

11. Planting and manure fertilizer
• Planting done in June- July under square / quincunx system
• Planting done by seed or budded plant
• Pit dig to the 1m *1m*1m dimension
• Spacing:
1. In hills : 6.7*3.4 m
2. In terai: 4.9*4.9 m
• 30:30:30 kg NPK /ha , in Mg deficient soil Magnesium sulphate @ 50 kg /ha is
recommended.

13. Harvesting
• Starts yielding from 6-7 years and economic life up to 35 years
• Done by tapping
• Tapping : process of controlled wounding of rubber tree during which thin
shaving of barks are removed leading to flow of latex

15. Methods of tapping
• Mini and reduced spiral tapping
Mini cuts of 5 cm
Reduced spiral cuts of 10 cm
• Puncture tapping / micro tapping
• Slaughter tapping
Done during later years of plant
Done to obtain maximum latex

17. Collection of latex
• Latex is white or yellowish opaque liquid
• Contains 30-45% rubber and 55-65% water
• Becomes acidic rapidly due to bacterial action

19. Yield
• Annual yield of rubber :
375kg/ha , seedling plantation
900-1000 kg /ha , budded plantation

20. Processing

23. Uses
• Transportation : Tires , Automotive parts
• Consumer goods: Footwear , clothing , toys , household items
• Industrial applications: Hoses and belts, Seals and gaskets, Adhesive
and coatings, constructions
• Medical Applications: Medical gloves, surgical devices
• Insulating materials

24. For more information ,
Watch : Rubber ko katha , Herne Katha EP 85
https://youtu.be/hU04ZBIkhxM?si=Z5I3p7GxJG3z3RXL