Rubber Board to increase area under rubber in Northeast

Rubber Board to increase area under rubber in Northeast

Subject: Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

• The Rubber Board, jointly with the Central government and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association, is implementing a project to expand the area under natural rubber in the Northeastern States.

Details:

• Of the 8.5 lakh hectares under rubber in the country, almost 5 lakh hectares was in Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu and 1 lakh hectares was in Tripura.
• To expand the area in non-traditional States, the Rubber Board was implementing a project to bring 2 lakh hectares under natural rubber in the Northeastern States, except Sikkim, but including West Bengal.
• The tyre manufacturers, who were the main consumers of rubber, were investing ₹1,000 crore in the five-year project that commenced in 2021.

Natural Rubber:

• Polymer of isoprene, an organic compound obtained from latex of a tropical tree Hevea Brasiliensis.
• Soil type: Well drained and well weathered soils, eg. Laterite, alluvial and sedimentary type soils.
• Precipitation and temperature: Evenly distributed rainfall with at least 100 rainy days, temperature range should be 20-34^oC.
• Other conditions required: Humidity of around 80%, 2000 hrs of sunshine and absence of strong winds.
• World’s major producer: Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • India: Kerala (.75% of total production), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
  • Tripura, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar, Goa etc are some other rubber-producing States.
  • India is the 5th largest producer and 2nd largest consumer of natural rubber in the world. India imports 40% of its total rubber consumption.
• The first rubber plantations in India were set up in 1895 on the hill slopes of Kerala. However, rubber cultivation on a commercial scale was introduced in 1902.
• Natural rubber is preferred over synthetic rubber due to its high tensile strength and vibration-dampening properties, along with tear resistance. This makes it important for the construction and automobile industries.
• Rubber Board:
  • Established: 1955
  • HQ: Kottayam, Kerala
  • Under: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Rubber board is responsible for the development of the rubber industry in India.
• Rubber Research Institute (RRI) is under the Rubber Board.

Rubber consumption in India:

• Automotive tyre sector: 50% (all kind of rubbers)
• Bicycle tyre and tubes: 15%
• Footwear: 12%
• Belts and hoses: 6%
• Camelback and latex production: 7%
• Other products: 10%