Unpredictable Wather Causes Frustration Among Rubber Farmers: Production And Income Are Threatened

RUPAT-BuThe residents of Sungai Cingam Village, the majority of whom work as rubber farmers, are currently experiencing anxiety due to the unpredictable weather. Weather changes that are difficult to predict, with sudden rainfall and extreme temperatures, disrupt the rubber tapping process. This condition has a direct impact on decreasing rubber production and decreasing farmers' income.

According to Maniso, a farmer in Sungai Cingam, rainfall that comes unexpectedly often damages the tapping process. "We can only tap when the weather is dry. If it rains, the sap we tap gets mixed with water and the results are bad. This causes the quality of our rubber to drop, and the price drops," he said in a concerned tone.

These erratic weather conditions affect the quality of the rubber produced. With a higher water content, rubber tapped in wet conditions becomes less attractive to buyers, so the selling price is much lower than usual. This poses a serious threat to the survival of farmers, especially amidst high production costs.

Farmers hope that there will be further efforts from the government, such as providing more accurate weather prediction technology or providing financial assistance to cover losses due to decreased production. "If this continues, we are confused about what to do. Our income is very dependent on the weather," added Maniso.

If this situation continues, the threat to rubber prodution in Sungai Cingam Village could get worse, with impacts spreading to the village economy. For residents who depend on rubber as their main livelihood, weather uncertainty is a real threat that disrupts the stability of their lives.