Urgent action required to safeguard Sri Lanka’s rubber cultivation from leaf disease

The foreboding specter of Circular Spot Leaf Disease (CSLD) looms ominously over our cherished rubber industry, casting a shadow of uncertainty. Identified by the vigilant eyes of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL), the lack of prompt action and viable solutions threatens to plunge our rubber cultivation into the abyss.
CSLD, an international tormentor of rubber crops, has unleashed havoc and turmoil among growers across the globe. Regrettably, the situation in Sri Lanka is exacerbated by the absence of a comprehensive strategy to combat this adversity. 

The apparent inertia of RRISL, coupled with their struggle to quantify the national devastation inflicted by CSLD, has sown seeds of frustration and trepidation among our resilient rubber cultivators, leaving their livelihoods at the mercy of uncertainty.
The luxury of time is no longer afforded to us, as unfavorable weather conditions cast a lingering shadow until at least the latter half of 2024 or early 2025. Perhaps, the elusive solution lies enshrined within the mystery itself, awaiting liberation through the prowess of data and relentless research.
A staggering 80 percent of Sri Lanka’s natural rubber production is nurtured by the hands of smallholder farmers, tending to modest plots of land. The prospect of aerial fungicide spraying via drones, although captivating, may prove impractical.
In this urgent juncture, we must address pressing inquiries:
Decoding the Devastation: Who bears the brunt of CSLD – the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) or the valiant smallholders?
Clone Chronicles: Why do specific rubber clones, like the resilient RRISL 130, elude the clutches of the disease? Beneath their resilience, invaluable lessons lie dormant.

Guardians of Resilience: How do global practices measure the rubber tree’s tenacity during tapping against the relentless CSLD? Pearls of insight from global strategies might hold our salvation.
Rising Pathogens: Could fresh pathogens emerge following the recent leaf fall? Understanding the metamorphosis of the disease is pivotal as the tree’s vulnerability increases after immunity wanes.
Mysteries of Bio Fungicides: Why does RRISL shy away from delving into the realm of bio fungicides – potential knights in armor against CSLD?
Digital Vigilance: Can stakeholders access a digital map that records the disease’s progression across Sri Lanka? Insights from trends could shape our strategic countermeasures.
Gathering Sage Wisdom: Esteemed scholars and luminaries have extended their hands to this noble cause. Can we harness their sagacity to conquer this trial?
United in Purpose: Shouldn’t a diverse ensemble of experts from both public and private sectors unite to sculpt concrete solutions? Action should trump endless deliberation.
In unity, we affirm that a homegrown solution serves as the guiding light to vanquish CSLD. Our challenges demand bespoke solutions, while measuring the national impact and fostering a harmonious partnership between governmental and private endeavors reign supreme.

The void of a real-time, digital information nexus is a disservice to our agricultural vitality. Let’s expeditiously forge this platform, crowned with an intuitive app interface.
Our trajectory drifts perilously from our aspiration of 200 million kg of rubber per annum. The plummeting trend rings the alarm, urging us to take decisive action. Rather than apportion blame, let’s pour our resources into rectification.
In culmination, our nation’s capacity to surmount adversity remains unwavering. Together, we shall ward off CSLD and fortify our esteemed rubber domain. To the esteemed Cabinet of Ministers, we implore your intervention, the formation of an unwavering task force with both the responsibility and the authority, and the allocation of resources to fuel exploration, collaboration, and execution. 
We propose the Chairman of the Rubber Research Board and the Secretary of the Ministry of Plantations and Infrastructure jointly lead this charge, ensuring regular updates to all stakeholders for enhanced engagement.
(Lalin I De Silva, was a Senior Planter, Agricultural Adviser / Consultant, Secretary General of Ceylon Planters Society, Editor CPS Bulletin and a freelance journalist)