Rain Never Stops, Rubber Latex Production Stops, Rubber Farmers Threatened with Economic Crisis

Rupat, Riau-- Continuous heavy rain for more than two weeks on Rupat Island has caused rubber latex production to stop completely. Rubber farmers cannot tap because wet tree trunks cause the rubber sap to mix with water, reducing its quality to the point that it is unfit for sale. This has hit hard the farmer's economy which is completely dependent on rubber production. 

"For the last two weeks, we have not been able to tap a single rubber tree. Income has completely stopped, while daily needs continue. We are worried that this situation could continue for longer," said Ibu Hajar, a rubber farmer in Pangkalan Pinang Village. 

Continuous rain not only stops production, but also hampers distribution. The main roads used to transport crops have become slippery and difficult to pass. This condition is increasingly worsening the economic situation of farmers, which is now threatened with falling into crisis. 

The farmers hope that there will be assistance from the government in the form of subsidies or support programs that can help them deal with this situation. "We hope that there will be government intervention, either in the form of financial assistance or subsidies to ease our burden. If this condition continues without a solution, we could be trapped in a prolonged economic crisis," added Mrs. Hajar. 

As weather reports predict that rain will continue to fall in this area, farmers' concerns are increasing. They can only hope that there are quick efforts to help restore the local economy before worse impacts are felt by the entire community.