The Kerala Government has permitted rubber agencies to procure RSS 4 grade rubber at a price ₹2 higher than the Kottayam market rates.
Rubber procurement will continue till the prices reach ₹171 a kg, the average price for the three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12.
Agencies including Rubbermark (Rubber Marketing Federation), Marketfed (Kerala State Marketing Federation) and other bodies under Rubber Board will procure rubber directly from the growers. A total of 10,000 tonnes would be procured in the first phase.
Procurement agencies will get ₹6/kg as handling charges. In case the agencies make profit, they have to return the charges claimed for handling.
The agencies should also sell the rubber at a higher price and ensure that they should not incur any loss.
The societies involved should procure rubber recording the name, address, phone number and Rubber Board registration of the grower.
The agencies should not purchase rubber from traders.
The Hindu
