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Smallholdings
are characterized by their small size (many are 2 hectares,
or less) and their relatively low incomes. At least twenty
million people are dependent upon rubber as their primary
source of income, although associated subsistance agriculture
(vegetables and domestic animals, especially poultry) ensures
that most rubber smallholders do not starve, although they
may be short of funds for medicine, eduaction and even powdered
milk to feed their babies.
Nevertheless, most smallholders are unable to earn sufficient
to invest in higher yielding materials, or to adopt less
labour intensive harvesting methods. Most of the rubber
producing countries have adopted schemes to assist smallholders
to improve their practices and output. In some areas agroforestry
is important (this is sometimes known as jungle rubber).
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