The Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka is said to be the oldest research institute on rubber in the world. Way back in 1909, a group of planters in the Kalutara District decided to engage a chemist to study the coagulation of rubber. This was the nucleus around which research on rubber was built up in the country. The facility was expanded in stages to the Rubber Research Scheme with 60% funding from the government. The Rubber Research Ordinance was incorporated in 1930 and four years later, laboratories were installed at the present site at Dartonfield Estate, Agalawatte. Finally, in 1951, the Rubber Research Scheme was renamed Rubber Research Institute (RRI) by an amendment to the original Act of Parliament.
Today, the RRI of Sri Lanka is an active research organisation with a staff of around 270. Among its scientific cadre of 35 are many talented research scientists. The current Director of RRI SL, Dr. L. M. K. Tillekeratne was awarded the first prize of the 1995 Presidential Awards for inventors, in recognition of the development of an environment-friendly water soluble bleaching agent for the manufacture of Latex Crepe Rubber.
The Headquarters of the RRI is located in the tranquil environment of Dartonfield, a rubber plantation in Agalawatte. A sprawling complex, it consists of an office block, well equipped biological laboratories, plant nurseries, library and staff quarters as well as a guest house for visitors. In addition, two substations are located at Nivitigalakelle and Kuruvita, and the Rubber Technology Unit at Ratmalana.
The role of the RRI is, in brief, to conduct research directed towards increasing the income from the country's rubber industry. "Our research covers all aspects of rubber cultivation and processing", said Deputy Director, Dr. N. Yogaratnam. He explained that there are two distinct areas of research. The first deals with all aspects of the growth of the rubber tree. This includes breeding high yielding trees and testing them for disease, resistance to various factors, fertilizer response and so on. The second area concerns research on latex and manufactured rubber to improve its market potential.
The clientele of the RRI includes rubber growers, users of raw rubber and rubber goods manufacturers. In order to fulfill its many functions, the institute has five biological research departments and four rubber chemistry and technology departments. There are also separate units to assist all departments in common functions such as transferring research findings to growers, economic evaluations, marketing and research studies, photography and experimental layouts.
Dr. Yogaratnam went on to explain that the RRI is funded by a Cess which is at present Rs. 1/ per kilo of rubber exported. The Institute is just able to cover costs with this funding. Dartonfield Estate functions commercially and also supports the Institute with funds and supplying labour. Specific projects are funded by organisations such as the World Bank and Food and Agricultural Organisation. A Smallholder Rubber Rehabilitation Programme funded by the World Bank is now in progress.
The RRI caters to the requirements of all rubber growers in the country. Estate superintendents and small holders are free to consult the RRI regarding any problems they encounter with their rubber cultivation. No charges are levied for these services. Small holders now constitute nearly 70% of the country's rubber growers. A new Rubber Development Department has been set up to serve their needs. The RRI trains the extension staff who assist the smallholders. However, the services of senior research staff of RRI are often needed to find solutions to smallholders' problems.
The Estate Sector is handled directly by the RRI. Research projects need large areas and are carried out on fields of Dartonfield as well as other plantations. When an experiment is conducted on an estate, the estate pays the estimated running costs and the RRI bears any additional costs. Research findings of the Institute are communicated to rubber growers and users through regular bulletins and circulars. Seminars, workshops and training sessions are also conducted at RRI for those in the rubber industry.
In the course of its research, the RRI has contributed a lot towards the progress of the rubber industry in Sri Lanka. Several high-yielding clones produced by the RRI have performed well and are internationally accepted. The Institute breeds, selects and tests clones and recommends suitable new clones for the rubber growing areas of the country. Thus old low-yielding clones are replaced with high-yielding ones. Researchers say it takes about 20 years of research to introduce a new clone to the public. In the Tissue Culture laboratory, still in its experimental stages, clonal propagation is being researched. Plants with their own root system are produced by vegetative propagation using good clones. The plants are grown in a culture medium within sterilized glassware.
Experimenting with young budding, green budding and polybag nursery plants has resulted in better plants, increased rate of establishment and uniform growth in the fields while reducing nursery costs. The immature period of the tree is also shortened using these plants.
Research on fertilizer application has helped to maintain soil fertility and economise on fertilizers. A soil and foliar survey done by RRI in the estate sector could effect a saving of ten million rupees per year for 10,000 hectares. A soil and foliar survey has been started for smallholders as well. The use of easily available paddy straw for mulching also accelerates the growth of young plants at low cost.
Rubber growing areas in Sri Lanka are often subjected to heavy monsoon rains. Nearly 45% of crop is lost every year due to rain. The RRI has introduced two types of rainguards, Apron and Gutter types which are now being used on estates. The trees on Dartonfield Estate are all rainguarded.
Research on diseases affecting rubber is another important function of the RRI as it helps growers to combat diseases. All aspects of rubber diseases are investigated. New fungicides coming in to the country are tested against the diseases. Clones are screened for their resistance to diseases present in the country. The problem that sometimes surfaces is that new diseases not present at the time of breeding and testing the clones, enter the country later and attack certain clones. A particular clone RRIC 103 was once devastated in this manner and had to be replaced by a more resistant clone. However, the affected cultivators were paid a relief payment by the RRI.
The RRI Sri Lanka achieved an important breakthrough in Rubber Wood Technology. The Boron treatment of rubber wood was started by RRI in collaboration with the Forest Department. This process is now commonly used to produce durable, low cost furniture. A replanting subsidy on rubber covers 40% of the replanting costs. By sale of old uprooted rubber trees, the rubber grower could cover the balance cost of replanting. Since only 20% 40% of the tree can be used for Boron treatment, the rest will still be available for firewood.
"We were once in the 4th position in the world for rubber producers. During the last 25 years, we have dropped to the 8th position", said Dr. L. M. K. Tillekeratne, Director of the RRISL. "After fragmentation of estates, management was somewhat lacking and production dropped. "We had a record production of 155,000 Metric Tons in 1978. In 1995 production was only 108,000 MTÓ. Dr. Tillekeratne attributes the drop in production to several factors. He says village expansion and housing diversification reduced the acreage of robber. Due to poor management in some estates, the recommended stand of 450 trees/hectare had not been maintained. Tapping panel dryness caused by over exploitation in tapping, excessive rain in rubber growing areas and planting of low-yielding imported clones were other factors that adversely affected the rubber production.
In order to increase the rubber production the RRI has recommended remedial measures which they insist the plantations should follow. To maintain the stand of 450 trees/hectare, they recommend infilling of plants within the first three years. Smallholders are given incentives to keep an extra 10% planted in polythene bags for this purpose. The plants and bags are supplied by RRI. Dr. Tillekeratne says by using tested and recommended RRI clones the yield can be increased appreciably. "RRI Sri Lanka has produced the best yielding clones in the world", he said. "Three clones RRIC 100,102 and 121 are yielding over 2,000 Kg/hectare/year and have the potential to yield up to 3,000 Kg/hectare/year. The clones produced in Sri Lanka also do not need chemical spraying except at the nursery stage. This is a tremendous saving and also causes no damage to the environment".
"A burning problem in the rubber industry is the environmental pollution caused by rubber effluents", said Dr. Tillekeratne. "We have come up with a solution which is patented jointly with Australia, world wide. The new system consists of anaerobic digestion inside a tank packed with coir fibre, followed by aeration of the remaining unreacted pollutants. This is so far the best developed method for rubber effluents and the most cost effective as well. The system has now been installed in some rubber factories as well as in the Oil Palm processing plant at Nakiadeniya.
The RRI has planned a comprehensive research programme for the future, geared to achieve many targets of improvement. "We hope to produce an annual yield of 126,OOO Metric Tons by the year 2000 and also to use at least 50% of the total locally", said Dr. Tillekeratne. "At present, we earn more from the 30% of rubber used locally than from 70% exported in raw form. Using rubber locally also creates employment in the country. We would like to have more latex based products to prosper since these products use nearly 98% of rubber while dry rubber products use 40% 50% of rubber".
Reducing cost of production and manufacture, minimising environmental hazards caused by the industry, converting 80% of annual rubber wood production into treated timber, are some of the targets for the future.
With European and US markets in view, the Institute is also working to obtain IS0 9000 registration for all its raw rubber factories by the end of the year. The Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka looks ahead with confidence to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
The dark clouds descend wrapping those out at sea in uncertainty. The waves grow higher, almost colliding with each other in mid air. With great difficulty, the crew on board this oil tanker speed to their respective places of responsibility, knowing it will be a long night before the storm is through.
Terror suddenly grips the captain, as the instruments indicate the vessel is heading towards shallow waters. Poring over the nautical charts he surveys the area for likely dangers, and is re-assured to see that there are none.
Nautical charts are vital navigational instruments for all sea going vessels for they provide information of the sea bed. These charts are based on the work of a hydrographic surveyor, similar to what a land surveyor does on land.
Hydrography is a science that measures and depicts those parameters that are necessary to describe the precise nature and configuration of the sea bed, its geographical relationship to the land mass, and the characteristics and dynamics of the sea.
It is similar in many respects to land surveying and many techniques employed are the same, or extensions of land surveying practices. "Although it is the same discipline, there are certain applications which are unique to hydrography," says M.P. Salgado, Survey General of the Survey Department.
Vessels equipped with the required apparatus record the water depths out at sea, together with the position. The positioning system makes use of advanced technology such as satellites, transmitters, receivers and echo sounders.
The nautical chart is the marine equivalent of the topographic map. Both use spot measurements of height or depth and contours to portray relief, but where the user of the map is able to verify by visual inspection the detail shown, the sea floor topography is obscured. The chart user, therefore relies implicitly on the accuracy and thoroughness of the hydrographer's work.
Nautical charts require periodic updating and redrawing especially in areas where the sea bed changes. Sandy areas can change rapidly, mainly because of tidal changes, whereas rocky sea beds seldom change. The structure of coral reefs too changes as they grow and expand with time. These changes need to be indicated on new charts as they bring about change in water depths.
Sri Lanka at present, depends heavily on the British Admiralty charts of the Sri Lankan waters. Areas which are heavily patronized by sea going commercial vessels such as commercial harbours and its surrounding waters, are periodically updated through survey data. Charts of other areas are updated only with statistical data.
The Sri Lankan Navy which has a mandate of protecting the country's territorial waters, relies heavily on properly surveyed and updated nautical charts.
According to Commodore Terence Sundaram Director, Naval Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy, this country's Navy does not depend totally on the British Admiralty Charts. The Indian Hydrographic Office which is run by the Indian Navy has produced some charts of the Sri Lankan waters. Which is available on the market for the Sri Lankan Navy to purchase.
The question that naturally arises is: How prudent is it for Sri Lanka, to depend on other countries producing nautical charts of our waters?
The best solution would be for Sri Lanka is to set up its own facilities to survey and chart its waters.
By ratifying the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention in July 1994, Sri Lanka on its part has to undertake the task of surveying and charting its coastal waters, territorial sea and contiguous Zone specially because it is surrounded by a 700% sovereign sea area larger than its land extent.
Surveying the ocean systematically and charting the contours though, is no easy task. It requires sophisticated equipment, finance and technical expertise.
In surveys ashore, photogrammetric techniques apart, contours are derived from an accumulation of spot heights obtained by levelling or other means, often in a grid system.
The lead line survey would be exactly analogous, except for the necessary allowance for tidal height which makes each depth measurement unique in time. A depth thus measured is termed a "sounding". In fact, the lead line is rarely used and the process is streamlined by the echo-sounder.
The echo sounder effects a depth measurement typically at a rate up to ten times per second, depending on the depth. The measurement is made by timing the interval between transmission and reception of an acoustic pulse which travels from the vessel to the sea bed and back at a velocity of approximately 1500 m s 4.
A succeeding transmission is not made until the previous pulse has returned and the rate of transmission is thus depth dependent. The vessel is therefore able to proceed without stopping and, by sounding continuously, a profile is obtained of the sea bed beneath the vessel's track. We then speak of a "line of soundings" having been run. In practice, a succession of parallel sounding lines is run across the survey area, and contours are derived from the resulting profiles to build up a portrayal of the sea bed topography.
Conducting of hydrographic surveys in Sri Lanka was limited to extremely conventional methods. This was the main reason for its slow progress until the NARA GTZ project emerged in 1988.
The government of Sri Lanka and the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, in order to promote technical co operation between the two countries, undertook a joint project to strengthen the hydrographic capabilities of the National Hydrographic Office (NHO). German assistance has come in the form of modern equipment, which includes two survey boats for near shore surveying. A long term consultant hydrographer and short term experts in the fields of hydrography and electronics also serve on the project. A medium size vessel is due in November this year to enable deep sea surveying.
This project was set up under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with the primary purpose of surveying the waters close to shore. This initiative was made with the primary objective to develop the fisheries industry by developing fisheries harbours in the country.
Currently there are 11 fisheries harbours scattered along the coasts of Sri Lanka. Some of these which are situated in the north and east of the country have lain dormant for many years due to the prevailing security situation. Those operative are Kirinda, Tangalle, Puranawella, Mirissa, Galle and Cod Bay fisheries harbours. These, though in use, need to be developed with hydrographic input if the full potential of these harbours are to be harnessed.
Under an ADB assisted scheme in Hikkaduwa, Beruwela, Puranawella and Mirissa harbours, infrastructure facilities, breakwater repairs, dredging etc., is done according to the specific need of each harbour. By doing so these harbours will be developed to a certain standard.
"The information provided by the National Hydrographic Office is vital to our work specially in cases where repairs to breakwaters and dredging of harbours need to be done", said . Sarah Bandar Deputy Project Manager of the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation.
With such plans to develop the fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Fisheries has great plans for the industry.
The Ministry also has plans to attract more foreign fishing vessels to use their berthing facilities and hence properly charted nautical information is crucial . Therefore the work of the NHO is important in the overall and subsequent development of the fishing industry.
Since fishermen have been utilizing traditional methods for fishing, no need was there for them to utilize hydrographic charts. But with the introduction of mullet day boats and other large vessels the usage of hydrographic charts will be a prerequisite.
If this modernization scheme is to be a success, training fishermen in the use of such sophisticated apparatus and reading of nautical charts is crucial.
The Ministry has set up a National Institute of Fisheries Training Unit, where relevant training is provided to fishermen.
Regulations will be passed very soon to make it mandatory for all deep sea going fishermen to install navigational equipment in their vessels. If not, permission will not be granted for such fishing. Deep sea fishing will thus be safe and less risky, enabling the location of fishermen in times of danger too.
For modernization and development, it is crucial to be well versed with the ocean belonging to us. There lies a wealth of untapped resources waiting to be harnessed. Not having hydrographic data will only lead to costly delays.
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