Guwahati: The Northeast has recorded its largest-ever expansion of natural rubber cultivation, with 1.79 lakh hectares of new plantations established across the region over the last five years under the Project INROAD initiative.
Launched in 2021–22, the Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) has created 1.79 lakh hectares (1,79,376 hectares) of new rubber plantations across 113 districts in the Northeast, bringing the project close to its target of 2 lakh hectares.
Officials said this marks the fastest expansion of natural rubber plantations in India within such a short period.
The first-of-its-kind initiative is being implemented by the Rubber Board of India with financial support from four leading tyre manufacturers, Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF.
Despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during its initial phase, the project has achieved nearly 90 per cent of its plantation target, said Mohan Kurian, Chairman of Project INROAD.
Beyond expanding the plantation area, the project has focused on improving livelihoods by targeting small and marginal farmers, most of whom own less than one hectare of land.
More than 2 lakh farmers have benefited from the initiative through new plantations, quality planting materials, and technical support.
Over the past five years, 8.3 crore high-quality rubber planting materials have been distributed, while more than 200 nurseries have been developed across the region to supply improved, high-yielding rubber clones suited to the Northeast’s agro-climatic conditions.
With many of the plantations now entering the productive stage, the project is shifting its focus to improving productivity and value addition through the INROAD Skilling and Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive (iSPEED).
Under the next phase, model smokehouses, improved rubber processing infrastructure, and large-scale training programmes will be rolled out to help growers produce higher-quality rubber and secure better returns.
The initiative is expected to further strengthen the Northeast’s position as India’s emerging natural rubber hub while reducing the country’s dependence on imports and boosting rural incomes.