Farmers hold rubber forum in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 31, 2012) – Dr. Harem Roca, a University of Southern Mindanao professor, presents the trends, prospects, and challenges of the rubber industry during the 1st Sarangani Rubber Forum Wednesday, May 30, attended by 165 farmer-participants from the different towns of Sarangani. Prof. Roca presented major challenges of the rubber industry as follows: limited access to credit and financing, peace and order and land tenure, inadequate services and infrastructure support, processing, and marketing, among other things. However, Roca cited some opportunities like production, growing domestic and global market and carbon credits. The rubber forum was organized by the Maitum Rubber Growers Association and the Sarangani Rubber Industry Cluster Development Team in partnership with the provincial and municipal government units and the Department of Trade and Industry. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Beth N. Ramos/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)