In recent years, following some active encouragement and help from the Union Ministry of Commerce, rubber cultivation has been extended to an additional 40,000 hectares in Tripura, out of 100,000 hectares were earmarked as new areas. In Assam too, a major expansion was on the cards, with the location of 200,000 hectares, but it has been possible to begin work on about 20,000 hectares. It is hoped that cultivation would pick up now.

Kerala is the largest producer of rubber in India, while Tripura is second. Union Minister of State for Commerce Mr. Jairam Ramesh has instructed Rubber Board authorities to make sure that due importance was given to the potential and possibilities of increasing rubber production that exist in the NE states.

At present India ranks below China and the USA in the consumption of tyres, while boasts the largest production of rubber in the world. Nevertheless, the country has had to resort to imports from time to time rubber goods and items to meet domestic demand. Mr. Ramesh is confident that in case production and cultivation can be effectively increased in Kerala, Assam and Tripura, imports may be a thing of the past.

However, according to Rubber Board authorities, during the April-October period this year, rubber production declined by 9.4% compared to the corresponding period last year. The production target has been affixed at 931,000 tonnes.

Of the additional 4.5 lakh hectares earmarked for additional production all over the country to strengthen the rubber industry, it has been possible to bring only 20% under cultivation so far. Steps are under way to improve infrastructure, inputs and other assistance. Ensuring encouraging natural conditions for better production is also under consideration.

In the Northeast, rubber is cultivated in 42% of land in Tripura, 20% in Manipur, 18% in Meghalaya, 14% in Nagaland, 9% in Assam and 1% in Mizoram. A rubber park has been set up in Tripura recently.

State Chief Minister Mr. Manik Sarkar has urged upon the centre to step up construction of the proposed Tripura-Bangladesh Railway link. There is a huge demand for rubber goods and items like tyres of cycles, autos and automobiles, auto and car parts, pipes and hoses, mattresses, hot water bottles and containers, among other things, in Bangladesh and the region as a whole. The state has skilled manpower. At present, cultivation over 1 hectare yields 1500 kilos of rubber. The state has plans to raise annual production to 25000 metric tonnes shortly, officials say. (IPA)