The Secretary of the Tripura Small-Scale Industries Department Kiran Gitte has highlighted the importance of adopting modern technology to enhance rubber production in Tripura.
Speaking at the Growers' Meet organized by the Rubber Board in Agartala, Gitte stated, "Rubber cultivation plays a pivotal role in uplifting the social and economic conditions of our state. The Industries and Commerce Department, Rubber Board, and banks are fully committed to providing the necessary support for integrating new technologies".
Highlighting the economic significance, Gitte noted that the state's rubber market is currently valued at an impressive Rs. 15,000 crore.
He also announced the establishment of a new rubber park in Santirbazar, Southern district in addition to the existing facility in Bodhjungnagar as declared by the Chief Minister.
Over the past three years, three major companies have ventured into rubber wood processing in the state, with three more expected to set up operations soon. "The Central and State Governments have implemented several initiatives to foster industries based on natural rubber cultivation", Gitte added.
Under the Rubber Board's plan, the goal is to develop rubber plantations across an additional two lakh hectares in the North Eastern region. Tripura, which ranks second in rubber production after Kerala, has witnessed significant growth due to the Chief Minister's Rubber Mission project.
The conference also featured insights from M. Vasathageshan, IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, who emphasized the event's primary objective: "This meet serves as a platform to understand the challenges faced by producers, exchange views, and inform them about new government initiatives to boost production. For instance, the introduction of rain guarding techniques will extend tapping periods by 30-40 days annually".
The conference saw participation from over 250 rubber farmers, who received new saplings of advanced rubber varieties. Distinguished speakers included Rubber Production Commissioner T. Siju, Joint Commissioner K. Shailaja, Development Officer Arunabh Majumdar, and Board Member Prasenjit Biswas.
Experts shared knowledge and experiences, emphasizing the shared goal of advancing the state's rubber industry. This collaborative effort between government bodies, financial institutions, and the Rubber Board marks a significant step toward making Tripura a hub for rubber cultivation and industry in the North Eastern region.