SMALLHOLDER RUBBER RESEARCH: The Cambodian Experience

1. SMALLHOLDER RUBBER RESEARCH: The Cambodian Experience International Conference: Lessons Learnt from Support Programs to Smallhoder Rubber Plantations Panel 3 : Current challenges in research for smallholder rubber plantations Cambodiana Hotel 24 June 2009 Dr. Yin Song Director Cambodian Rubber Research Institute (CRRI)

2. Presentation Outline 1. Background 2. Main Research Activities and Status of SRRC Trials 3. Research Methodology on Clonal Tests and Results 4. Research Methodology on Fertilizer Tests and Results 5. Research Activities in CRRI Station to Support the S’holders 6. Conclusion

3. 1. Background • Increasing the NR production is one of the most desirable objectives of the Government. • Along with the divestment, the government has assured S’holder that rubber will be treated as any other crops. • The Gvm’t had expected that more farmers will be planting this crop in the future. • To develop Rubber S’holders, 2 projects were formulated: i) A pilot project, funded by AFD, which is intended to develop a sustainable rubber based farming system for extension and plantation funding implemented by General Directorate of Rubber (GDR), and ii) A component of the Agricultural Productivity Improvement Project (APIP) which is called S’holder Rubber Research Component (SRRC), funded by WB and implemented by GDR that subcontracted to CRRI.

4. Objectives of SRRC • Identification of the geographical areas (soils and climate) and the clones that are likely suitable. • 2. Production of the technical data needed to confirm Cambodia’s suitability for Smallholder Rubber Development. • 3. Sustainable good rubber yield for smallholders.

5. 2. Main research activities & Status of SRRC Trials • Main research activities of the SRRC involved on 4 agronomical tests : • - clonal comparison tests • - fertilizer tests • - planting material tests • - intercropping tests. • Status of SRRC Trials: • -1998 – 2002 , 53 trials established with farmers in 8 different areas. • - In 2004, 48 trials in 7 locations monitored • - First trials planted in 1998 tapped in 2004.

6. SRRC trials by locations

7. SRRC trials planted from 1998 to 2002 by type

8. Map of the SRRC Trials APIP/ SRRC 1998 - 2005 Soil map in Cambodia PHF/ AFD, 1999 – 2005

9. 3. Research methodology on clonal tests & Results • Four clones (GT1, RRIM600, IRCA18, PB260) are compared according to their characteristics of growth and production • Experimental sites: • Chamcar Andong, Trapaeng Russey, Snuol, Memot, • Kompong Thom, Ratanakiri • Experimental design: • - planting pattern 6 x 3m • - 5 lines per clone • - 160 plants per clone • - Trial dimension: 20 rows x 32 plants = 640 pl • - Surface: 1.15 ha

10. SRRC Trial in Ratanakiri

11. Preliminary results of clonal tests (1) Table 1. Girth at 5 years after planting

12. Preliminary results of clonal tests (2)

13. Girth increment one year after opening at clonal test Preliminary results of clonal tests (3)

14. Average production g/t for 2 years of tapping Preliminary results of clonal tests (3) Average annual yield kg/ha for 2 years of tapping

15. 4. Research methodology on fertilizer tests & Results • Each trial compares 3 increasing levels of fertilizer • Two clones are compared according to their • characteristics of growth and production • Planting materials (Clones: GT1, RRIM600) • Treatments: Half dose, Standard dose, Double dose • Experimental sites: • Chamcar Andong, Trapaeng Russey, Snuol, Memot, • Kompong Thom, Ratanakiri • Experimental design: • - planting pattern 6 x 3m • - 5 lines per clone • - 160 plants per clone • - Trial dimension: 15 rows x 32 plants = 480 pl • - Surface: 0.90 ha

16. Girth at 6 years after planting for clone GT1 Preliminary results of fertilizer tests (1) Girth at 6 years after planting for clone RRIM600

17. Preliminary result of fertilizer tests (2) Annual yield kg/ha for 2 years of tapping Yield g/t/t for 2 years of tapping

18. Summary • Regarding all clones girth after 5 years trial, faster growing was observed in Trapeang Russey than in other locations • Girth of clone IRCA18 is the best at all locations, after 5 years trial • Average of clones girth increment is 6-10 cm every year in immature period • Fertilizer did affected the girth of the trees during immature period • Actually, the cumulated Kg/ha were higher for treatments with fertilizer. Constraints: - farmer did not follow fully recommendations - difficulty in collection of data of rubber production. - No further support project after SRRC completion in 2006.

19. Latex collection at SRRC trial in Trapeang Russey

20. 6. Research Activities In CRRI Station to Support S’holder Development • Setting up Large Scale Clone Trials (LSCT): - 9 LSCT • Agronomy - Fertilizer Tests - Test on Planting Methods - Multi Annual Comparison of materials and data of replacement etc…. • Yield Potential of Hevea Clones in Cambodia - Effect of the number of Ethephon stimulation on clones IRCA230, GT1 etc….

21. SRRC Trials in CRRI Station

22. Application of Fertilizer on SRRC Trials in CRRI Station

23. 7. CONCLUSIONS • The development of rubber s’holder in Cambodia can be performed with a good technical assistance. • The potential is real in terms of agronomy and socio-economic. It does exist a strong motivation for rubber growing in certain area. • The development of s’holder has to rely on adapted technical recommendations different from those that are listed in big estates. However, it is important to continue such research SRRC in new site. • The good working of SRRC required to make available to the CRRI: -The necessary financial means -The scientific and technical competencies.

24. Thanks for your attention