Manipur has multiple suitable zones for rubber plantation: Rubber Board Official

Several areas in Manipur have been identified as suitable for rubber cultivation, Rubber Production Commissioner of the Rubber Board, Dr. Siju T, said during an interaction with journalists at the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) in Kottayam, Kerala, on February 24, 2026. The visit was organised by the Press Information Bureau, Imphal, as part of an ongoing press tour.

Describing rubber as an eco-friendly and income-generating crop, Dr. Siju said it is particularly suited to hot and humid climatic regions of South and Northeast India. In Manipur, he noted, rubber cultivation is viable not only in Jiribam district but also in several other regions.

Highlighting the national scenario, he stated that India remains a rubber-deficit country despite having the largest area suitable for cultivation at 9,39,300 hectares. The country ranks sixth globally in production with 8,75,000 tonnes, second in consumption with 14,10,000 tonnes, and second in productivity at 1,500 kg per hectare. To bridge the gap between production and consumption, the Board has prioritised expansion in the Northeast, targeting plantation across 2,00,000 hectares between 2021 and 2026. Of this, 1.80 lakh hectares have already been planted by 2025 in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Focusing on Manipur, he said a new field station was opened in Imphal last year but later shifted to Ukhrul due to the prevailing situation. The state now has two field stations—one in Ukhrul and another in Jiribam.

Suitable areas identified by the Rubber Research Institute of India for rubber plantation in Manipur include Chandel, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong, Noney, Churachandpur, parts of Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Thoubal, Kakching, Pherzawl and Bishnupur districts.

On Manipur’s contribution to national rubber output, Dr. Siju described it as negligible, stating that the state has significant scope to enhance production. Between 2021 and 2025, 6,534.41 hectares have been brought under rubber cultivation in Manipur, benefiting 4,404 farmers.

He underlined that rubber provides long-term and sustainable income once trees mature for tapping, while inter-cropping can offer interim earnings. Citing the example of Tripura, he said farmers there have significantly benefited from rubber cultivation.

He further informed that a pilot project will be undertaken in association with the North Eastern Council to support rubber farmers in Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur.

On recommended varieties, Dr. Siju highlighted clone RRII 429, which has a yield potential of 7.2 kg per tree per year, as particularly suitable for Manipur. Clones RRII 208, RRII 417 and RRII 600 were also recommended for the Northeast region. NIRT currently operates nodal centres at Agartala in Tripura and Hahara in Guwahati, Assam, with a proposed centre at Dimapur in Nagaland.