By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Nov. 3 (PIA) – Representatives from the Korean Rural Community Corporation (KRCC) in a forum here on Thursday urged rubber farmers in the province to plant alternative crops while the price of rubber is very low.
Dr. Choi Ho Jin, who leads the KRCC group, said rubber price would definitely be low until the year 2016.
“It is entirely affected by the conflict in Thailand and several other countries, which are the key players in the rubber industry,” said Dr. Choi.
Partnering with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-9, KRCC has been visiting provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula region to assess and survey Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) for potential public-private partnerships (PPP) on agri-enterprise.
In Zamboanga Sibugay, the six towns belonging to the Salipyasin ARC Cluster attended the forum, namely: Tungawan, Roseller T. Lim, Ipil, Titay, Naga, and Kabasalan - all rubber producing municipalities.
Dr. Choi inquired why there was low yield in the province when it is known as the rubber capital in Region 9?
Rubber farmers representing various cooperatives cited several reasons such as the lack of technology and less support from the government resulting and others.
Ms. Luz S. Ani, ARCP II-AED specialist, said rubber farmers must consider the suggestion of the Korean visitors to plant other viable crops to increase their income and help them cope with the low price of rubber.
“The low price of rubber is affecting the entire globe. It is an international phenomenon and is not only experienced by our farmers in the Philippines.”
Ms. Julita A. Ragandang, regional director of DAR-9, expressed gratitude to the Korean visitors for giving time to visit the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. She stressed that their presence signifies interest to help the farmers who are agrarian reform beneficiaries.