The latex rubber tree is a tropical plant native to South America and South East Asia, which is the primary global source of natural rubber. Kerala has over 110,000 acres of land under rubber cultivation – annual production is about 690,000 tons – over 92% of India’s natural rubber.

Rubber was first planted in Kerala on an experimental scale during the 19^th century in the Periyar estate of Travancore. The rubber tree is a tall softwood that grows up to thirty meters. Five years after planting, the rubber tree produces its milky latex when the bark of the tree is cut with a special knife. Rubber latex is collected and treated with formic acid to coagulate and remove the water. The rubber sheet is then smoked – after which it is used to manufacture rubber products.