(This story was originally August 13, 2014) KOCHI: Natural rubber growers are at their wits’ end in the face of continued price declines. Since July 7 Since July 7. Month 1 Since Tuesday, prices have fallen by 9% to reach Rs 132.50 per kilogram which is the lowest level in four and a half years. Nirmalalalalala Sitharaman’s recent announcement that imports will not increase further will only add to the woes given that imports have increased by 48% in the first four months of the current fiscal. The reason why most small growers do not tap rubber during heavy rains in Kerala is simply because the current prices are not enough to cover the operational costs of installing rain screens, labor and fertilizer costs. PM Thomas, general manager of Pala Rubber Marketing Cooperative said, “Growers who were paying Rs 20 for an umbrella are now paying Rs 25 and wages have increased. Even those who go to cut rubber just cut trees.” “I do,” he said. The Rubber As...