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Final report. Study of intercropping in rubber cultivation in the Moneragala and Ampara regions of Sri Lanka

Le Guen A., Chevreux A., Gallier C., Ellis H., Laville J., Guillonnet L., Schirmer L., Fenech P., Schoepfer S., Penot E., Durand C.. 2022. Angers : ISTOM; CIRAD, 87 p..

Latex is considered a strategic material for the development of the country by the Ministry of Plantation of Sri Lanka. In response to the climate change, the country has adopted a policy focused on resilience and sustainable development. It is in this context that Ksapa initiated in 2022 the RIVER project which will develop a program to strengthen agricultural capacity in Sri Lanka through a digital suite, SUTTI. To carry out this project, the company commissioned YAPI Expertise to provide intercropping models based on rubber trees that are agronomically "performant" and economically interesting for producers to diversify their income. The RIVER project takes place in two districts in south-eastern Sri Lanka: Moneragala and Ampara. This study was based on literature searches which enabled to select crops that could be intercropped with rubber. In parallel, 80 interviews, prepared by YAPI Expertise, were conducted on the field by a local organisation, LOAM. The aim of these interviews was to identify rubber intercrops models already implemented in the study areas and to understand the reasons why farmers adopted these intercrop models. The interviews were analysed statistically by MCA and Chi². Combined with the literature review, the study established 5 models (Pineapple model, Cocoa model, Banana model, Passion fruit model, Soursop model) proposing several intercrops that could be planted with rubber. Finally, choice criteria have been established for each model, presenting their strong and weak points.

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Rapport d'expertise

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