Ambitious plan drawn up to increase area under rubber in N-E

Guwahati, Apr 19. The Rubber Board has drawn up an ambitious project to increase area under rubber cultivation in the North East by at least 50,000 hectares in the 12th Five Year Plan period. The board is also promoting use of high-yielding crop varieties in the region. Speaking to reporters after the 171th board meeting of the Rubber Board held here today, its Chairman Sheela Thomas said a special project has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. "The special project report is intended to promote rubber cultivation and increase yield of rubber crop in the North East. The project is intended to undertake action above what is envisaged in the Plan document," Thomas said. She said the Commerce Ministry is currently in discussion with the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and other concerned ministries with regard to the special project report. "As per the special project, the target is to expand rubber cultivation to another 50,000 hectares in the North East. Besides, it also provides for use of high-yield crops, recruitment of some specialists and training for farmers to undertake better agriculture practises," Thomas said. Currently, rubber is planted in 1.28 lakh hectares of land in the North East, including 64,480 hectares in Tripura and 38,090 hectares in Assam. However, the productivity of rubber in the region is only 1,200 kg per hectare as compared to 1,841 kg per hectare nationally. The total rubber production in North East was 50,040 metric tonne in 2011-12. Thomas said while Rs 163 crore was spent by the Board during the 11th Plan (2007-12) for rubber in North East, the Rubber Board is looking for a major jump in the 12th Plan.