Concerned over fall in rubber prices, the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) has urged the Centre to ban rubber imports to protect the growers from further crisis.

Prices of natural rubber, according to APK, have reached the lowest point in the last five years and this situation has pushed farmers into deep financial crisis. The association attributed the unabated imports by rubber consuming industries as the main reason for the continuing free fall of prices.

If this trend is allowed to continue, the situation might lead to farmers' suicides, and conversion of land to activities other than rubber cultivation, a press statement issued here said.

The present trend in imports suggests that it may exceed the figure of 3,24,586 tonnes registered in 2013-14. During May alone, the import was approximately 33 per cent more than that in the same period in the previous year.

The association is of the view that an increase in import duty will control imports.

APK also expressed concern over questioning the credibility of Rubber Board in releasing the data, which is authentic and fairly accurate. The data collection mechanism of the board is fairly robust and there are enough stock available in the market.

During January to April, there were 101 trading days in Kottayam market, out of which buyers were active only for 37 days.

The association suggested that the Rubber Board should release the purchase data in public domain so that its credibility is not questioned.

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