六合彩图库

Millions of hectares of rubber plantations, vital to Southeast Asian economies, are at risk due to mounting pressures from climate change and agricultural labor shortages. As the global leader in natural rubber production, responsible for 73% of the world's supply, Southeast Asia faces significant challenges threatening the industry's long-term sustainability and economic viability. These issues not only jeopardize the livelihoods of countless workers but also the economic stability of key countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

The (FORSEA) Project 2024 Annual Seminar and Study tour

The FORSEA (FOrecasting impacts of climate change and workforce availability on the natural Rubber commodity chain in Southeast Asia) Project 2024 Annual Seminar and Study tour, organized in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from June 5th to June 7th by 六合彩图库 in collaboration with the General Directorate of Rubber and Cambodian Rubber Research Institute, the Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam, the Rubber Authority of Thailand, and Kasetsart University, aimed to showcase the newest updates from the FORSEA project's research on climate change adaptation, labor scarcity, and the development of sustainable practices in the rubber sector, share successful adaptation strategies, and foster regional cooperation.

The event brought together 63 stakeholders from government agencies, research institutes, universities, and private sector companies, including major global corporations like Michelin and Sumitomo. This diverse representation ensured that the seminar's discussions and outcomes would have a wide-reaching influence and practical application across different levels of the industry.

H.E. David Prak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia in charge of Rubber Development and International Cooperation, officially opened the seminar alongside Dr. François Roger, regional director for Cirad in Continental Southeast Asia, Mr. Emmanuel Dollfus, AFD's Deputy Country Director and Dr. Tran Thi Anh-Dao, Attaché for scientific and higher education cooperation for the French embassy in Cambodia.

One year after the FORSEA kick-off meeting, where do we stand?

One year after the kick-off meeting in Bangkok in February 2023, the project has made considerable progress. 1 PhD Student and 8 master's students have registered in their National Universities, field experiments have been set up, and surveys have been started. The prospective study has been launched as well. This first question set the stage for insightful presentations reflecting the project's year-long journey. 

FORSEA researchers from different working groups shared updates on assessing rubber trees' vulnerability and production potential, identifying factors influencing labor scarcity, and further prospective study and operations planning.

The event also featured a series of presentations by Master's students from Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam on climate and labor adaptation, status, and evolution. Their work promises to contribute to the broader goals of the FORSEA project, further highlighting the project's collaborative nature and dedication to fostering academic growth and regional expertise.

Practical Insights from the Study Tour

The study tour, conducted over the last two days of the seminar, included field visits to the Cambodian Rubber Research Institute (CRRI) Chup Research Station and the Memot Rubber Plantation (MRP) in Tboung Khmum Province. These visits showcased experimental trials on agroforestry, soil cover management, reduced tapping frequency, clonal breeding, and advanced laboratories, providing practical insights into research activities in rubber cultivation.

Participants also visited the General Directorate of Rubber (GDR) Head Office for a presentation on the rubber chain in Cambodia, emphasizing economic and environmental aspects. The tour ended with community visits to a local rubber smallholding and to cover crop plots, offering a firsthand look at the rubber practices implemented in Cambodia.