The first report of a suicide from the plantation sector has been reported. Krishnankutty Nair, a small rubber grower who owns three acres of rubber came to Moonnilavu in Pala from Peravoor, Kannur and committed suicide. In a letter found in his pocket, he wrote that had the rubber price been ₹150 a kg, he would not have met with such an end.

While the surface is relatively calm, the undercurrent is very rough for rubber in Kerala as some of the growers have started threatening to quit. All the steps so far taken to ameliorate their grievances have not shown any tangible results. There are also reports that in some areas, they would abstain from tapping in protest against the low price prevailing in the market.

Kerala High Court recently ordered that the Centre should consider the reasons for the price fall in the domestic market. A decision on this could be taken only on the basis of trade policies and market situations. Speaking in Parliament, the MPs from Kerala wanted immediate steps to resolve the issue.

The real problem is the prevailing slump in global market. Due to risingimports, demand has gradually come down in the domestic market. There are reports that the tyre makers have procured enough rubber to meet their requirements for the next six months or so. The growers had to sell their rubber for ₹100/kg to small rubber dealers, according to Anto Antony, MP.

The daily reference price quoted by the Rubber Board is ₹132.90 as on March 25, while the traders’ price remains at ₹128 for RSS 4. The 12 lakh rubber growers and their 40 lakh dependants are in financial crises due to this price fall.

A meeting of the rubber growers from different parts of the State held in Kottayam has formed an action council with PC Cyriac as its Chairman and PC Thomas as General Convener. The meeting expressed deep concern over the present situation and called for immediate action to save the planting community.

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