October 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has embarked on an ambitious nationwide initiative to digitally map all rubber cultivation areas using cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
The effort, jointly spearheaded by the Rubber Development Department and the Department of Survey, aims to ensure the country’s rubber industry meets emerging international environmental standards—particularly new European Union regulations targeting deforestation.
With global scrutiny increasing over the environmental impact of agricultural supply chains, the European Union has introduced strict import controls to curb the trade of goods linked to deforestation.
Under these rules, exporters of rubber and rubber-based materials must now demonstrate that their products are not sourced from ecologically sensitive or illegally cleared land. Accurate mapping and transparent data are essential to proving such compliance.
In response, Sri Lanka’s rubber authorities have initiated a detailed mapping programme that will geolocate every smallholder rubber plantation across the country. The Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure confirmed that the data collection process is expected to be completed by 2025, creating a comprehensive digital inventory of rubber-growing regions.
Once a rubber holding is verified and mapped, the Rubber Development Department will issue a unique QR code to the registered farmer, at no cost. This digital tag will serve as a proof of origin, linking each batch of rubber to a verified location.
Farmers will be expected to present this QR code to buyers or intermediaries during transactions, helping to streamline supply chain traceability and support exporters in fulfilling EU requirements.
Officials have stressed the importance of cooperation from small-scale estate owners during the field verification stage. When teams from the Survey Department and the Rubber Development Department arrive to conduct site assessments, landowners will need to be present and prepared with relevant documentation.
This includes the rubber planting licence, land deeds, and detailed land plans—all of which are necessary for accurate geotagging and official recognition.
Authorities believe that this modernisation of rubber land registration will not only enhance environmental accountability but also strengthen Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the global rubber market, particularly at a time when sustainable sourcing is becoming a decisive factor in trade negotiations.
