India’s rubber sector receives a 23% increase in financial assistance from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, reaching Rs 708.69 million. The focus continues to be on extensive planting, productivity and support for Rubber Producers Societies. The aid is expected to help the The Rubber Board on digitization and promote the sector in the Northeast.
IndianBureaucracy, New Delhi, February 21, 2024: The financial assistance allocated for the ‘Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector’ has seen a significant increase, marking a 23% increase from Rs 576.41 crore to Rs 708.69 crore for the upcoming two fiscal years (2024-25 and 2025-26). The financing aims to help the rubber industry to extensive focus on rubber planting and enhance productivity.
In an effort to support the rubber industry, a substantial area of 12,000 hectares in traditional regions will undergo rubber planting during the mentioned financial years, with an allotted budget of Rs 43.50 crore. The planting assistance has been elevated to Rs. 40,000 per hectare from the previous Rs 25,000 per hectare, providing a crucial incentive for growers and covering the increased cost of production. Additionally, 3752 hectares in non-traditional regions will be cultivated with an outlay of Rs 18.76 crore.
To facilitate this initiative, the Rubber Board will supply planting materials worth Rs 50,000 per hectare, complementing the ongoing INROAD project in the North East. Further, special planting assistance of Rs 2,00,000 per hectare will be provided for Scheduled Caste (SC) growers in non-traditional regions.
In a bid to ensure the production’s sustainability, the government plans to support rain guarding in 67,000 hectares and plant protection (spraying) in 22,000 hectares, with an envisaged budget of Rs 35.60 crore over the next two years.
The scheme also emphasizes the formation of Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) to empower rubber growers. Over the next two years, assistance will be extended for the creation of approximately 250 new RPSs, with increased support from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. This heightened assistance aims to support various activities such as farmer education, seminars, group meetings, capacity building, exposure visits, and model farms.
The Rubber Board’s commitment to improving service delivery is reflected in its intensified digitization efforts. The board plans to provide fast and instant services through mobile-based apps and incorporate drone technology for geo-tagging. An allocation of Rs 8.91 crore has been earmarked for the overall digitization of the Rubber Board.
To promote MSMEs in the Northeast region, three nodal centres of the National Institute of Rubber Training (NIRT) are proposed in Agartala, Guwahati, and Nagaland, with an outlay of Rs 5.25 crore over the next two years. These centers will focus on imparting training in product manufacture and quality control, benefitting a total of 10,700 individuals across the country.
Additionally, an outlay of Rs 29.00 crore has been provided for rubber research, aimed at developing clones suitable for different agro-climatic regions. This initiative seeks to expand rubber cultivation to new areas to meet the rising demand in the country.
Welfare measures, including educational stipends, women empowerment schemes, assistance for house construction, group life insurance cum terminal benefit, personal accident insurance schemes, and pension schemes, with an outlay of Rs 7.02 crore for the next two years, are also part of the comprehensive plan to improve the quality of life for workers in the rubber sector.