COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT ON RUBBER FARMING IN AGUSAN DEL SUR BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

MANUEL  T. TABADA JR.,; RODEL  L. OCLARET,; FERNANDO  L. MARZO JR.,; BEVERLY  T. OMAMBING,

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT ON RUBBER FARMING IN AGUSAN DEL SUR BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

MANUEL T. TABADA JR. | RODEL L. OCLARET | FERNANDO L. MARZO JR. | BEVERLY T. OMAMBING

Abstract:

The business closures, production halting, and disrupted mobility of products during the COVID-19 pandemic have slowed down the economy globally. In the rubber industry, the ANRPC projected a decline in natural rubber production and consumption, citing the “turbulent” impact of the pandemic. This study was conducted to seek facts on the situation of the rubber industry in the province of Agusan del Sur since there was limited information on its status during the pandemic. Using a descriptive method to validate the rejoinder from the respondents of 200 rubber farmers, the results revealed that the majority have small-scale production in less than a hectare. The study showed that there was a decrease in the selling price of the rubber, increased cost of acetic acid and fertilizers causing less application of fertilizers per tree, and a reduction of employed tappers. These factors contributed to the significant drop in rubber farming net income.

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