Agroforestry Offers Thai Rubber Farmers a Pathway to Profit and Sustainability

Picture: Carolyn Cowan/Mongabay

In an article by Mongabay, Carolyn Cowan examines the adoption of agroforestry in rubber farming in Thailand.

Rubber has historically been a major driver of deforestation across Southeast Asia. And with recent studies showing that at least 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of forest have been lost to the crop since 2000, it ranks high on the global list of commodities most responsible for forest loss, behind beef, soy and palm oil.

Thailand produced more than 4.7 million metric tons of natural rubber in 2022, accounting for one-third of global supplies and making it by far the world’s largest rubber producer. Yet the small-scale farmers who drive this gargantuan industry are grappling with mounting challenges ranging from crop diseases and soil erosion to unstable market prices, plus the impacts of climate change. As a result, many struggle to make ends meet, and often carry significant debt.

“These days, farmers cannot get enough income to care for their families from latex alone,” Pakamart says. “Weather patterns are shifting. Last year, rubber farmers could tap only about 100 days out of 365 days in the year.”