Kottayam: Rubber cultivation has expanded over 43,500 hectares within a year, marking a record-breaking achievement to the Rubber Board’s efforts.
Of this, 42,080 hectares are within the northern and eastern states. The board has set a target of expanding cultivation to 1.30 lakh hectares this year and in the coming years. To facilitate this, 97 nurseries in the northern and eastern states are preparing 3.26 crore saplings. If things go according to the expansion plan, then it will be another milestone.
The Board initiated the Mission North East in 2021 with the aim of expanding the cultivation of rubber. It was able to expand cultivation to 70,000 hectares.
Currently, 8.50 lakh hectares of land are under rubber cultivation in the country, with six lakh hectares in Kerala alone. This status took 50 years to achieve.
The country requires 12 to 15 lakh tons of rubber annually, with only eight lakh tons being produced domestically. On average, five lakh tons of rubber are imported annually.
The Prime Minister has directed to curtail rubber imports and bolster the tyre manufacturing industry by prioritising local production. This initiative has helped the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) to enhance its expenditure scope. Presently, the total assistance provided amounts to Rs 1,100 crores.
The Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD), a project supporting the development of rubber plantations in the North East, continues to receive assistance. The fourth phase of this program is currently underway in the East Siang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Source: Mathrubhumi
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