Tripura Forest Minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia on Sunday said that the rubber plantation is not only good for the environment and ecology, but it can also be a steady source of income and livelihood, which can boost the economy of the State.
Jamatia said this while addressing the Rubber Conclave-2018, organized by CII Tripura state council at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala.
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Tripura, the second largest rubber producer in the country after Kerala, could play a significant role in reducing the country’s rubber import and help meet the growing domestic demand, he added.
He further said that rubber being a cash crop can increase the income of farmers with small land holding.
Jamatia also said that Tripura government is committed to popularizing rubber cultivation in the State for growing this cash crop under Central Government’s mission to double farmers’ income by 2022.
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At present the Tripura Government is working on a strategy as to how rubber cultivation can be popularized and appealed to all stakeholders, including CII, to join the mission.
On the occasion, Tinku Roy, chairman of Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC), spoke of the long-term benefits of rubber cultivation.
D Anandan, chairman and executive director of Rubber Board said small farmers can be encouraged to go for rubber cultivation in a big way as rubber can be grown on small holdings.
He also highlighted that the climate and soil in northeastern states are ideal for rubber cultivation.
Vinod T Simon, chairman of Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC), said the council is ready to provide technical expertise and skill training to the rubber farmers.