BANGKOK -- Thailand, the world's largest rubber producer and exporter, has launched a program to encourage farmers to cut down rubber trees earlier than the 25-year life cycle to reduce total annual output by 5% by the end of April, in a bid to support falling rubber prices.
To reach the target, the Thai government has earmarked 800 million baht ($25 million) to compensate those who participate in the program, which is not mandatory.
