The specification and estimation of a production function for smallholding rubber in Sri Lanka

Abstract

An attempt is made to analyse the main input/output relationship in a cross-section of smallholdings growing high yielding rubber in the Matugama and Agalawatte areas of Sri Lanka. It follows from the rsults reported by Barlow et al. (1975) of the 1971 survey of these holdings. The factors found to have most impact on output were tree age, planting density, area of mature rubber and tapping frequency. Specification problems associated with these variables and with rubber, as a perennial crop, are discussed. Two main types of clones Tjir 1 and PB 86 were grown on these holdings and a comparison of their performance wasmade. Similarly, the sample has been divided by the number and type (family or hired) of labour employed in evaluating the performance of the various hldings in the sample. Throughout this paper the Cobb-Douglas production function approach was followed.