New knife for efficient rubber tapping

Ridma Dissanayake

The Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute introduced a technically improved tapping knife which can tap latex without damaging trees and also help extract the maximum quantity of latex from the tree.

Rubber industrialists can reap a good harvest of latex if tapping is done properly. Those who have no training in tapping, cannot use the normal tapping knife without damaging the tree. A good training and experience is a must to use the knife correctly, sources said.

The rubber industry annually loses a huge profit due to the failure in tapping latex without damaging trees. Damaging rubber trees cause a reduction in the lifespan of the trees, the sources said.

Reducing the lifespan of the trees and careless tapping can have serious consequences to the local rubber industry. The Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute is introducing the new tapping knife as a solution. This improved tapping knife can control the cutting space of the bark of the trees and will also protect the thickness of the bark, the sources said.

“It will also protect the cambium layer of the tree without damage. Anyone who has no experience or training in rubber tapping, can also use this new knife without problem.”

Rubber plantation owners and industrialist can obtain tapping knives from the Advisory Services Department of the Sri Lanka Rubber Research Institute in Ratmalana, Rubber Research Institute in Agalawatta, Sri Lanka Rubber Development Department and Divisional Secretariat Offices in Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle and Monaragala.