A one-day Seminar on Sustainability of Rubber Industry was organised by MRB on 15 August 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. The seminar provided updates on future trends and challenges faced by the industry so that early steps towards formulating strategies and measures in facing with global trends can be implemented
As we are all aware, climate change may bring an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as droughts, storms and floods. The impact of climate change can directly affect our rubber production. The increase in local temperature can lead to loss in rubber production, and the increase in rainfall can result in loss of tapping days.
A total of eight papers were presented that covered topics on the status and issues of sustainability, approaches and practices towards sustainability and sustainability status in major rubber producing countries. A Panel Discussion chaired by Dato' Dr Kamarul Baharain Basir, Director General, MRB, on the way forward for the sustainable rubber industry was held at the end of the seminar with panel members comprising of Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz bin S. A. Kadir, Secretary General, IRRDB, Dato' Haji Aliasak bin Haji Ambia, President of the National Association of Smallholders, Malaysia, and Dr Chan Kok Weng of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.