'Thuru Saviya' to establish rubber processing centres

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The 'Thuru Saviya' Fund affiliated to the Plantation Industries Ministry has taken steps to establish group processing centres for rubber in identified areas to help the smallholders. The move is expected bring in a number of benefits to the smallholders sector, including the assurance of a better price, increase in sale and enhanced product quality.

'Thuru Saviya' Fund chairman Suranga Hidellarachchi said the smallholders sector will benefit from the above move both due to the improvement in sophistication in rubber processing and direct trading. "The centre will enable the production of better quality sheets, which then can be sold to the middle- and upper-level network of traders directly" he added. Hidellarachchi said the smallholders will be able to fetch a higher price also because direct trade will sideline the middlemen. The centres will provide on the spot bidding facilities for buyers. Work on four such centres has already begun, namely, in Randeniya (Kegalle District), Karawita (Ratnapura District), Yattapatha and Hedigalla (Kalutara District).

The four centres are expected to begin operations from next month. They will include modern smoke houses and stores built using the latest technical know how. The Economic Development Ministry has provided funds amounting to Rs.90 million to implement the programme.

Hidellarachchi said more centres will be established next year creating a network of smallholders.