Boost for Rubber Sector as Financial Assistance Rises by 23 percent

New Delhi: In a significant move to bolster the rubber sector, the financial assistance under the ‘Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector’ has been increased by 23%, reaching Rs 708.69 crore for the upcoming financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This substantial increase is aimed at supporting and promoting the sustainable growth of the rubber industry in India.

One of the key initiatives to support the rubber industry involves planting rubber in 12,000 hectares in traditional areas during 2024-25 and 2025-26, with an allocated budget of Rs 43.50 crore. The rate of assistance for this endeavor has been raised to Rs. 40,000 per hectare, up from the previous Rs 25,000 per hectare. This adjustment aims to cover the increased cost of production and provide additional incentives for growers engaging in rubber plantation.

In addition to traditional areas, 3752 hectares will be brought under rubber cultivation in non-traditional regions with an outlay of Rs 18.76 crore during the same period. The Rubber Board will supply planting materials worth Rs 50,000 per hectare, and planting assistance at Rs 2,00,000 per hectare will be provided for SC growers in non-traditional regions.

To enhance productivity, the government plans to support rain guarding in 67,000 hectares and plant protection (spraying) in 22,000 hectares over the next two years. An estimated amount of Rs 35.60 crore will be allocated for these measures.

The scheme also aims to empower rubber growers through forums like Rubber Producers Societies (RPS). In the next two years, assistance will be provided for the formation of around 250 new RPSs, with an increased scale of assistance from Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. This support will contribute to farmer education, seminars, group meetings, capacity building activities, exposure visits, model farms, and other activities for the overall benefit of stakeholders.

Furthermore, assistance of up to Rs 40,000 per RPS will be provided for latex collection and DRC testing equipment to 55 RPSs. RPSs will also be supported for farm mechanization, with up to Rs 30,000 per RPS for purchasing sprayer/dusters. The establishment of Group Processing Centres (GPC) for quality rubber sheet production is being promoted, with the construction of 18 GPCs in the North East and non-traditional regions and 10 GPCs in the traditional region.

For rubber research, an outlay of Rs 29.00 crore has been provided for the next two years, focusing on developing rubber clones suitable for different agro-climatic regions to expand rubber cultivation.

To improve service delivery, the Rubber Board will intensify digitization efforts, providing fast and instant services through mobile-based apps and using drones for geo-tagging. An amount of Rs 8.91 crore has been allocated for the overall digitization of the Rubber Board.

In a bid to promote MSMEs in the North East region, the proposal includes the establishment of three nodal centers of the National Institute of Rubber Training (NIRT) in Agartala, Guwahati, and Nagaland with an outlay of Rs 5.25 crore in the next two years.

Various welfare measures, such as educational stipends, women empowerment schemes, assistance for house construction, group life insurance, personal accident insurance schemes, and pension schemes, have also been outlined with an outlay of Rs 7.02 crore for the next two years. These measures aim to improve the quality of life for workers and attract more individuals, particularly women, to the rubber tapping profession.

This comprehensive set of initiatives signals the government’s commitment to fostering the sustainable and inclusive development of the natural rubber sector in India.