Assam Aims to Become Major Player in Rubber Industry

Guwahati: Assam, one of India's leading states in rubber production, has announced ambitious plans to bolster its position in the rubber industry. This was announced by the Bimal Borah, the State Minister for Industries, Commerce, and PE Department, Assam, during the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) meeting, held in Guwahati from October 9 to 13, 2023.  

Minister Borah mentioned the state's commitment to becoming a major player in the rubber sector through a collaborative initiative with the Rubber Board and rubber-consuming tire industries.

Assam ranks second among northeastern states in terms of rubber cultivation, with Karimganj, Goalpara, and Karbi Anglong emerging as key rubber-producing districts in the state. Minister Borah emphasized the state government's dedication to supporting the Rubber Board in developing rubber plantations and related sectors.

Highlighting the significance of rubber across various industries, from automotive to health and consumer goods, Minister Borah showcased how Assam's climate and resources make it one of the top rubber-producing states in India and the second in the North Eastern region.

The Guwahati conference provided a platform for member countries and stakeholders to exchange insights on various aspects of the natural rubber (NR) sector, including cultivation, research, training, and disease control.

The conference featured discussions on topics such as 'Outlook of Natural Rubber,' 'Sustainable NR Supply,' 'Tyre Industry,' 'SICOM as a Reliable Price Discovery Hub for Natural Rubber,' and 'Measures to Improve NR Prices and Domestic Demands: Country Experiences.' This year's theme, 'Natural Rubber Industry: Challenges and Policy Options in the 21st Century,' holds special relevance due to the ongoing global economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The ANRPC's Annual Rubber Conference and Assembly Meetings is an international organization of natural rubber-producing countries established in 1970.

ANRPC's activities are supported by contributions from member governments and active participation from private sector stakeholders since 2008. The organization currently includes 13 member countries, such as India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Association's mission is to enhance rubber productivity, reduce costs, increase value addition in the downstream rubber sector, explore ancillary income sources, and promote the eco-friendly attributes of natural rubber, ultimately improving the well-being of rubber farmers. ANRPC serves as a reliable source of statistics and information on the natural rubber industry in its member countries and fosters international dialogue to formulate policies in the interest of natural rubber producers.

Assam, with its conducive climate and abundant opportunities for rubber cultivation, is poised to be a significant contributor to India's rubber sector through collaborative efforts and innovation, as said by Minister Borah.

He also extended support to stakeholders and investors in establishing their businesses in the state.

The ANRPC meeting in Guwahati drew senior officials from state governments, the Chairman and members of the Rubber Board, foreign delegates, representatives from NR sector stakeholders, rubber growers, and distinguished figures such as Dr. Sawar Dhanania (Chairman, Rubber Board), Dato' Dr. Zaroissani Mohd Nor (Chairman, ANRPC), Mr. M. Vasanthagesan IRS (Executive Director, Rubber Board), and Mr. Toh Heng Guan (Secretary-General of ANRPC). 

The conference was focused at driving the growth of the natural rubber industry in Assam and the broader region.

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