'Global cooperation of natural rubber producing nations must'

Collaboration of natural rubber producing countries at an international level is essential to address price volatility, a top Malaysian Rubber Board official said here today.
Speaking on the subject 'Addressing Natural Rubber price volatility' as part of the second day deliberations of India Rubber Meet 2015, Director-General of Malaysian Rubber Board, Salmiah Ahmad said international platforms like Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) should be strengthened to address such issues.
She put forth short, medium and long term strategies to overcome the challenges of price fluctuation. She also proposed a 'Novel pricing mechanism' to support the small growers.
Stuart Cook, Director of Research, Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, UK, said future requirements would be for sustainable raw materials.

"Ecologically sustainable high quality products from renewable resources at affordable prices could only survive. Targeted use of genetics would improve efficiency of breeding programmes and help to improve productivity, disease resistance, quality of NR and emergence of 'high value' bye products," Cook said.