Rubber plantation industry in India has been a sucess story and it has recorded phenomenal progress during the last four decades. In 1995, the average productivity in India reached 1440kg/ha/yr, the highest recorded anywhere in the world compared to 880kg/ha/yr produed in Sri Lanka. This paper examines the major reasons for higher yields recorded in India. Most of the findings presented in this paper are based on field observations made by the principal author in a recent visit to India. Important observations are made on the application of fungicides, treatment of factory effluents, shortage of tappers, status of the rubberwood industry and the attitudes of smallholders and estate managers with particular reference to implementation of technological developements. The climatic and physiographic conditions in most parts of the state Kerala which accounts for 86;of total rubber extent in India, are quite similar to those of major rubber growing districts in Sri Lanka. The analysis strongly suggests that there is ample scope for rubber plantations in Sri Lanka to improve in productivity by following appropriate cost effective agronomic practices adopted in India. The use of quality planting material, maintenance of recommended stand and rain guarded harvesting are the key areas that need improvement without further delay.