Dimapur: Nagaland has a total rubber cultivation area of 29,794.39 hectares, with production reaching 13,617.21 metric tonnes (MT) as of March 31, according to the Rubber Board’s regional office in Dimapur.
The state recorded a productivity of 1,166.03 kg per hectare, with mature plantations accounting for 11,977.71 hectares and immature plantations covering 17,816.68 hectares.
The figures were presented to Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav during a review meeting at Lok Bhavan in Kohima, where the Rubber Board outlined the progress of rubber development initiatives across the state.
The meeting covered the current status of plantations, production, infrastructure, farmer training and welfare measures being undertaken to strengthen the rubber sector.
Officials highlighted the establishment of group processing centres, which are intended to allow growers to process rubber collectively, improve the quality of rubber sheets and lower processing expenses for individual farmers.
The board is also focusing on strengthening the skills of rubber growers through field-based training, practical demonstrations, awareness programmes and exposure visits.
Yadav reviewed the progress of various programmes aimed at expanding rubber cultivation and supporting growers in the state. Among the initiatives discussed were the INROAD Project, group processing centres, farmer education and training, tapper skill improvement programmes, skill development measures and disease-control interventions.
Under the INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) Project, the Rubber Board is working to expand plantations on a larger scale and strengthen the rubber ecosystem across the Northeast. The initiative is aimed at supporting sustainable cultivation and improving the livelihoods of rubber growers.
The board also highlighted efforts to address the shortage of skilled rubber tappers. Its intensive skill improvement programme provides workers with practical training in scientific tapping techniques to improve efficiency and plantation productivity.
Disease management has also emerged as an area of focus. Officials said drone technology is being used to control Abnormal Leaf Fall disease, with drone-based spraying of Copper Oxychloride carried out across selected areas of Wokha, Peren and Niuland districts. The treatment has covered 171.15 hectares so far.
The review meeting also examined challenges affecting the sector, including inadequate rural road connectivity, a shortage of skilled tappers, dependence on workers from outside the state, limited marketing infrastructure and wildlife-related damage to plantations.
The Rubber Board said addressing these constraints would be important for strengthening Nagaland’s rubber sector and improving returns for growers.