Vision: To be the number one producer and exporter of natural rubber based products in 2020 in the region.

Mission: Promotion and development of a globally competitive rubber industry with a view of achieving increased production areas, farmer’s income and competitive production, post harvest and marketing system.

WHY RUBBER?

• It has many comparative advantages in production compared to other rubber producing countries because of its fertile soil, favorable climatic conditions, available work force, access to international market, availability of advance technology, hard working agricultural workers and competent researchers.
• Generates stable rural employment
• Can be intercropped with other crops including livestock
• High demand for rubber products in the world market
• Environment-friendly crops due to its contribution to the forest areas.
• Provides higher income for farmers compared to other crops
• Improves rural economy and reduction of poverty

JOB GENERATION

• One job per hectare for production
• More additional jobs for other operations such as   nursery operations, processing, and trading

FARMER’S REVENUE

Cotabato Province has a total area of 32,066.79 hectares planted by rubber. These areas are maintained by a total of 2,537 rubber farmers.  Rubber farmer produces a minimum monthly income of P36,000.00 per hectare or a minimum annual income of P432,000.00 per hectare.  As of March 01, 2011, rubber cup-lump costs P90.00 per kilo.

FACTS ON RUBBER PRODUCTION IN COTABATO PROVINCE

Average Yield     300 kg/mo/ha           
Total Potential Area    105,420 hectares

GOAL

• Increasing the current average yield from 300 kg/ha/mo to 500 kg/ha/mo using the advance technology which is already available.
• Increasing the production area from 32,066.79 ha to 50,000 ha.

PROJECTED IMPACTS OR BENEFITS

• Environment friendly suitable as a reforestation tree crop
• Highly contributes to the reduction of global warming
• Offers opportunity for utilization of idle lands that are not suitable for food crops
• Increased job opportunities

SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE RUBBER INDUSTRY

Strengths

• Vast area available for expansion.
• Easy access of technical information through SCUs and expert rubber personnel who had gone trainings abroad.
• Strong support of LGUs.
• Existence of 6 functional rubber processing plants.
• Availability of planting materials.
• Available reservoir of managerial skills for rubber plantations and small-scale areas.

Weaknesses

• Low productivity due to poor plantation management.
• Poor quality of raw rubber products.
• Lack of technical training for rubber tappers.

Opportunities

• Domestic and export markets offer excellent price for rubber raw materials.
• Export markets offer excellent opportunities for rubber-based products.
• High demand for raw rubber products leading rubber to high value.

Threats

• Stealing of cup lumps in the production areas.
• Occurrence of pests and diseases.
• Unstable peace and order situation in some areas planted by rubber.

STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTION

• Provision of quality materials for the new rubber clones through Plant Now Pay Later Program.
• Financial support to use new technologies from identified research institutions within the Philippines and outside the country.
• Establishment of Provincial and Municipal nurseries.
• Accreditation of nurseries for quality seedlings.
• Establish organized associations of rubber industry.
• Close coordination with the Local Government Units in terms of project evaluation and monitoring.
• Proper technical training and accreditation of rubber tappers.
• Enhancement on the capabilities of nursery operators.