Mainly S2D3 (67%) and S4D4 (25%) (Quarter upward (CUT)) tapping systems are used in tapping. We train our workers to tap causing minimum damage to the bark. Average stand per hectare is 525 trees in 14’ x 15’ (our current planting distance) or 27’ x 8’ (Avenue planting – RRI recommendation) This guarantee the sustainable use of the NTFP Rubber Latex.

Average Yield per tree is 6 to 5 – 5.50 kg per tree per Annam.
300 trees (S2D3 – tapping system) to be tapped per labor per day and average crop harvested per person, per day is 7.5 kg.

Tapping tools
The tapping knife in widespread use in Sri Lnka is the Michie-Golledge knife.Although its use requires a certain amount of skill and it is somewhat more difficult to use than the type of draw knife, such as the Malaysian Jebong knife, used in most other rubber producing countries, this push knife is adapted to give a high standard of tapping and a minimum consumption of bark. However, the Michie-Golledge knife is not quite suitable for high level tapping ( unless a ladder is used) on downward cuts. A draw knife is better adapted for this type of tapping.

Harvesting Tools