ISBN: - 978-93-88936-09-5 Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu provides the best suitable climatic conditions for planting rubber. The rainfall pattern, temperature range, wind speed and the other prevailing facilities are favourable for planting rubber. 1.13. SCOPE OF THE STUDY The present study has been made to examine the socio-economic conditions of the rubber tappers, rubber producers and the marketers of the rubber products. The study further identifies the factors influencing the rubber production and marketing and also examines the quality and quantity of rubber production in various seasons. This study further discusses the availability of finance, utilization of finance and problems faced by the rubber producer and distributors of rubber. 1. 14. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. To study the factors influencing the production and marketing of rubber in Kanyakumari District. 2. To trace the marketing conditions of rubber in Kanyakumari District. 3. To analyse the problems that are faced by the rubber cultivators in the marketing of products in Kanyakumari District. 4. To examine the socio-economic conditions of rubber tappers. 5. To discuss the problems faced by the rubber tappers in Kanyakumari District. 6. To offer suggestions to increase productivity of rubber products and to enhance the marketability of rubber. 1.15. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY Designing of a suitable methodology and selection of effective analytical tools are important for a meaningful analysis of any research problem. This section is devoted to a description of the methodology which includes sample design, collection of data and tools of analysis. 1.15 (A) Sample design The sample comprises natural rubber growers, distributors and rubber tappers in Kanyakumari District. In Kanyakumari district, there are 12 Rubber markets available for the rubber growers. In Tamilnadu rubber and clove are cultivated only in Kanyakumari District. The quality of rubber produced in Kanyakumari is one of the best in the world and the yield per acre is also very high compared to other parts of Tamilnadu. In Kanyakumari District, natural rubber is grown in about 35000 hectares and the estimated annual production is about 25000 tonnes. Rubber plantations are located in the northern part of the taluks namely Kalkulam, 25
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