ISBN: - 978-93-88936-09-5 The above table inferred that the Major portion of the respondents’ income 41 per cent is obtained from rubber tapping. The contribution of labours [10 per cent] and that of agriculture is 16 per cent. The second largest source of income is animal husbandry is 25 per cent. In the Kalkulam taluk, income group share of different sources is tapping 47 per cent, agriculture 17 per cent, animal husbandry 24 per cent, casual labour 3 per cent and drivers 9 per cent. In Vilavancode taluk income group the pattern of contribution of different sources is tapping 40 per cent, agriculture and casual labours are 16 per cent, animal husbandry and drivers are 14 per cent. In the Thovalai taluk, income group share of different sources is tapping 30 per cent, agriculture and casual labours are 17 per cent, animal husbandry 23 per cent, and drivers are 13 per cent. Mode of tapping Once the trees become mature for tapping, then the demand for labour arises mainly in tapping. Majority of small holders have a tendency to hire tappers, though they are unemployed. Small growers are ready to tap themselves. The percent of small growers family members engage in tapping is very low. Educated members of the growers" families, even if unemployed, are not interested in tapping. This phenomenon naturally increases the demand for tapping labourers. The labour force consists of persons coming within the age group of 18 to 60 except students, disabled and housewives. The following table shows that the mode of tapping in Kanyakumari district. Table 4.9 Mode of tapping Mode of tapping Arasu rubber board Smallholdings Estates Own land Total Kalkulam taluk 21 28 12 9 30 40 17 13 Vilavancode taluk 18 15 11 6 70 100 Source: Computed from Primary data Note: Figures indicate the percentage to total The above table illustrated that the mode of tapping of the trees include Arasu rubber board, smallholders, estates, and own land, out of the 150 sample respondents 36 per cent of the respondents are tapping the trees in smallholdings, nearly 32 per cent of the respondents are tapping the trees in Arasu rubber board, 18 per cent of the respondents are tapping the trees in estates, and remaining 14 per cent respondents are tapping the trees in their own garden. It signifies that the majority of the respondents are tapping the trees in smallholdings, and some of them preferred to tapping the trees in Arasu rubber board, because of they are enjoyed 119 50 30.0 22.0 12.0 100 Thovalai taluk Respondent % Respondent % Respondent % 36.0 9 11 6 4 30 31.0 37.9 20.7 13.3 Total 48 54 29 19 100 150
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