After a hiatus of a decade, the Rubber Planters'
Conference was on the road again. Bearing the theme Opportunities
and Trends in Natural Rubber Production, the conference was held from
15th to 17th November at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The gathering
of planters and rubber growers that was hosted by the Malaysian Rubber
Board was officiated by YB Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities,
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.
(Click here for the
Minister's Opening Address)
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YB Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities,
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui |
The
Director General of the Malaysian Rubber Board, Datuk Abdul Hamid
Sawal, said in his message that recent changes in the rubber industry
had brought about new dimensions in the natural rubber market that
had to be properly analyzed and better understood in order to prepare
for the challenges ahead. Undoubtedly, the timing of the conference
was opportune, coinciding with a swell in world market prices that
reached record levels. It was therefore against this backdrop of cheer,
confidence and optimism in the rubber industry that the Rubber Planters'
Conference was reconvened.
(Click here for
Messages from the MRB Chairman and the Director General)
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MRB Chairman,
Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abdullah bin Mohd Tahir |
The
first day of the conference saw diverse aspects being presented on
the emerging global opportunities in rubber planting. Subsequent sessions
touched on the evolving scenario of the Malaysian rubber planting
industry and on efforts to boost crop productivity through advancements
in rubber breeding. Deliberations on crop productivity in relation
to agronomic practices kicked off the second day of the conference.
The woes and triumphs of the rubberwood industry were next highlighted
and this was followed by an enthusiastic discussion on the essential
role of smallholders' sector in rubber planting.
(Click here for a
round-up of the Conference papers.)
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The
final day of the conference was taken up by the morning field visit
to the Rubber Research Institute Experiment Station in Sungei Buloh,
where participants viewed some of the technologies in rubber planting
that were presented at the conference.
(Click here for
more pictures)
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Rubber Planters' Conference 2005 
