During 28 to 29 March, Professor Cao Jianhua from CATAS, a researcher in rubber tree tapping mechanization visited the Rubber Research Institute and Kam Pong Cham of Cambodia for his battery-driven tapping knife and related technology promotion and training of tappers there. The novel tapping knife and relevant technology were highly recognized and appreciated by scientists of Rubber Research Institute, rubber plantation companies and small rubber holder of Cambodia.

Cao Jianhua conducting tapping operation training with his battery-driven tapping knife in Cambodia

More than 100 individuals including CTO of rubber plantation estates, small rubber holders and tappers, as well as researchers from Rubber Research Institute of Cambodia participated into the training course, observing and experiencing tapping operation demonstration with the battery-driven tapping knife and its efficiency.

It is known that natural rubber is one of the important income sources of rubber growers of Cambodia. The cultivated area and production were 389 000 hectare and 127 000 tons in 2016. However, tapping operation was totally relied on traditional tapping knife. Due to lack of systematic training of local tappers, their skill is apparently not good enough, that cased obvious injury to rubber trees. In view of low price of natural rubber in current market, local rubber estate and small holders both are eager to apply new tapping tools and technology with lower skillful requirement to reduce their labor cost while increase their income. Presently, some rubber holders have turned to use the new battery-driven tapping knife.

Training of Practical Operation of New Tapping Knife