Kerala’s rubber industry, once a thriving sector that brought prosperity to the region, is currently facing a crisis. The industry is being hit from multiple angles, including low prices, climate change-driven excessive rainfall, and soil degradation resulting from decades of monoculture farming practices. This has led to a significant decline in the livelihoods of rubber farmers, forcing them to explore alternative and sustainable methods to ensure their economic stability.
In response to these challenges, many farmers in Kerala are turning to innovative and environmentally friendly approaches. For instance, 80-year-old Thomas Kattakayam has embarked on creating jackfruit gene banks and implementing intercropping practices on his farm. Intercropping involves growing multiple crops together on the same land, which helps in restoring soil health, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity. This method not only enhances the ecological balance but also provides farmers with a diverse range of products to sell, thereby ensuring a more stable income throughout the year.
Other farmers in the region are experimenting with cultivating a variety of crops such as rambutan, pineapple, and coffee. This diversification strategy allows them to spread out their risk and ensures that they have a continuous income stream, even if one crop fails due to unforeseen circumstances. This approach is particularly important in the face of climate change, which is making weather patterns more unpredictable and increasing the vulnerability of monoculture farming systems.
Experts in the field suggest that the future of the rubber industry in Kerala lies in adopting agroforestry practices. Agroforestry involves integrating rubber cultivation with native species, which helps in maintaining ecological balance while supporting the livelihoods of farmers. This approach can help in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change, such as soil erosion and loss of biodiversity, while also improving the resilience of farming systems. By embracing agroforestry and diversifying their crops, farmers in Kerala can work towards creating a more sustainable and resilient rubber industry that benefits both the environment and the local community.