The State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to earmark Rs.300 crore for rubber procurement during the current season. It also decided to bring latex under the procurement scheme in view of the instability in its prices.
The Cabinet also decided to relax the norms for farmers wanting to join the scheme, but did not have the valid documents such as title deeds. Most of these people were actual farmers, but did not have any title deed for availing the benefits. The government will accept any document that verifies the status of the farmer beneficiary.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, in his post-Cabinet briefing, said the rubber procurement scheme was a success. The minimum procurement price of Rs.150 a kg was able to protect the rubber cultivator from price crash.
The Rs.300-crore allocation had been made in view of the additional burden the State government will have to incur owing to the crash in prices. In the case of latex, prices were ruling high when the rubber procurement scheme was announced. Currently, latex prices were also fluctuating, necessitating some kind of assistance. Latex prices would be fixed soon after the Finance Secretary holds discussions with the stakeholders, he said.
