Adaptation of Rubber Plantation Fund Cooperatives to Climate Change Affecting Rubber Production in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is an important economic crop in Thailand, particularly in the southern region, which is the main production area. It generates a major income for small farmers and impacts employment including the local and national economy. However, rubber production currently faces several risk factors, including extreme weather conditions, climate change, leaf fall disease, and fluctuations in world market prices, which affect the quantity and quality of the produce. The Rubber Plantation Fund Cooperatives have an important role in supporting farmers by collecting the produce, processing it into smoked rubber sheets, and distributing products systematically. They also provide financial, technology, and academic training.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of climate change on rubber production in Southern Thailand using an econometric modeling approach. Panel data from the three provinces with the highest levels of rubber output, covering the period 2020–2023, were analyzed using either Fixed Effects or Random Effects models. The results indicate that rainfall and maximum temperature have statistically significant negative impacts on rubber yield, whereas relative humidity exerts a statistically significant positive influence. In contrast, minimum temperature and atmospheric pressure have not significant effect on rubber production. These findings highlight the importance of adopting technologies that regulate key environmental factors—particularly rainfall, temperature, and humidity—as a crucial strategy for promoting sustainable adaptation among rubber farmers and rubber-fund cooperatives.