Tripura aims increase in rubber plantations, surpasses 5-year target of 30,000 hectare

Tripura, under an initiative of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), achieved a milestone  of surpassing its five-year rubber cultivation target of 30,000 hectare. 

The state is now aiming to increase the plantation to 69,000 hectare, an official said on Sunday.

Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD), backed by ATMA, was launched in 2021 to develop 2 lakh hectare of natural rubber plantation in Northeast and West Bengal over five years. 

Under this initiative, the Rubber Board had set a target of 30,000 hectare for Tripura.

Rubber Board's Development Officer Arunabha Majumder told PTI, "Tripura has already raised rubber plantations on 47,747 hectare against its five-year target of 30,000 hectare. We are expecting to increase the plantation areas up to 69,000 hectare."

He said rubber plantations under INROAD suffered setbacks in Assam, Manipur and West Bengal due to various reasons, prompting the Rubber Board to focus on Tripura.

"Naturally, Tripura will be a major player in fulfilling the target of raising rubber plantations on 2 lakh hectare by the end of this year. We are putting in all efforts to maximise the plantation areas in the state," Majumder said.

Tripura, the second highest natural rubber producer in India after Kerala, has 1,10,648 hectare of rubber plantation in all. It produces 1,10,717 mt of natural rubber annually.

Majumder said the Rubber Board has been assisting rubber growers in all spheres, from planting to selling

Despite all efforts, the value addition to natural rubber produced in Tripura is still very less, he rued. 

"Less than 4 per cent of natural rubber produced in the state has got value addition, while around 96 per cent rubber sheets or latex go outside the state. Only three companies are engaged in rubber- based products here," he said. (With PTI inputs)