A total of 71 rubber tappers from over 30 plantations and community rubber farms took part in Cambodia’s first-ever rubber tapping competition. The December 16 event, held in Tbong Khmum province, was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, through its General Directorate of Rubber.

The competition, held in Thma Pech commune, Tbong Khmum district, saw the top 15 skilled tappers win motorcycles as prizes – five for the first place winners, five for the second and five for the third. The entrants represent 34 companies and five family-owned community plantations.

Khun Kakada, acting director-general of the rubber directorate, addressed the opening ceremony.

He explained that the ministry initiated the idea to highlight that rubber tapping is a skilled profession and to foster a sense of enthusiasm and camaraderie among rubber tappers, who predominantly work night shifts.

He added that the competition aims to encourage other workers to strive for excellence in their jobs, with the hope of being selected for future competitions.

According to Kakada, rubber plantations can be found in 20 provinces across the Kingdom, but the participants came from Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie and Stung Treng. Each company sent two skilled tappers to compete.

During the competition, each tapper is required to tap rubber from 450 trees within an hour. 

The competition emphasised not only speed but also precision, quality and adherence to the specific criteria set by the judges.

“The key criteria for winning include precision in tapping – only two millimetres of bark should be cut, so great care is needed. Second, the tapping must avoid damaging the timber. The competition also focuses on speed and the proper collection of latex. Participants need to meet all five criteria because they are skilled workers and the best selected for this event,” he said.

Before the competition began, Cheng Heang, a rubber tapper with more than three years of experience from a plantation in Kratie province, expressed hope in his abilities. However, by the end of the competition, Heang was unable to complete the assigned tasks, but hoped the quality of his work would see him place well.

In contrast, Aun Tak, a tapper from a plantation in Tbong Khmum’s Ponhea Krek district, finished tapping all 450 trees within the one-hour time limit – making him the fastest participant – but the quality of his work remains to be evaluated.

Tak shared that his father was a rubber plantation worker for decades, and he himself began tapping rubber at a young age after leaving school in fourth grade. He still uses a tapping knife model from the French colonial era, and his father now produces such knives for sale.

The competition organisers have not yet announced the results as they are reviewing all criteria. The winners will be officially announced on December 17.