Rubber Management Systems: A Progression from Extractive to Regenerative Production

Demand for natural rubber is driving an increase in acreage under production and tonnage of rubber produced. Conventionally managed rubber monocultures have presented multiple ecological, economic, and social risks, and alternative rubber management systems must be explored. The paper outlines a gradient of rubber management systems in the provinces of Phatthalung and Songkhla in Thailand. The field observations and exchanges considering the diversity of practices of various rubber farmers were conducted from October 2020-February 2022. Rubber management systems along a gradient ranging from degenerative to regenerative, suggesting each's key principles, characteristics, and benefits were synthesized to the results. Six rubber management systems were found: monocultural, organic, simple polyculture, complex polyculture, modern jungle, and traditional jungle. Outcomes of rubber production systems include ecological health, economic stability, social well-being, farmer knowledge, and increased relationship with nature based on the rubber regeneration production of conventional systems (monocultural) to complex agroforestry systems (Wanakaset). The continuum of regenerative practices with biological monoculture became a complex polyculture; there is a high level of natural regeneration.