INROAD Project Achieves Landmark Success in Expanding Rubber Plantations in North East India

Guwahati: The INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) initiative has reached a notable milestone, having established 125,272 hectares of new rubber plantations in the North East and sections of West Bengal by the conclusion of FY2024-25. Initiated with backing from four leading tyre firms—Apollo, Ceat, JK, and MRF—the initiative seeks to cultivate 200,000 hectares of rubber plantation, representing one of the largest rubber cultivation projects in the history of India. The project, undertaken by the Rubber Board of India, has shown significant advancement despite difficulties, reaching almost 90 pc of its plantation goal in the initial four years.

ALSO READ: Swiggy Expands 10-Minute Food Delivery Service To Over 400 Cities

Rajiv Budhraja, the Director General of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), commended the success of the project, emphasizing the enhancement of local nurseries and the development of grower skills. The initiative has provided an unprecedented 5.3 crore planting materials, greatly assisting farmers with limited resources, including those owning less than one acre of land. Once fully finished, the project is anticipated to enhance the economic and social standing of 2.5 lakh beneficiaries.

Prior to INROAD, the North East represented 23 pc of India's natural rubber (NR) plantation territory. Once the 2 lakh hectare expansion under INROAD is finished, the region's share will grow to 38 pc, and its contribution to India's NR production is anticipated to climb from 16 pc to 32 pc. In the future, the upcoming stage of the project will concentrate on developing infrastructure, which involves establishing model smoke houses and sharing new techniques with rubber growers. This holistic strategy seeks to revamp the rubber sector in the North East, aiding local farmers and enhancing India’s rubber output potential.

ALSO READ: ঘেঁহু খেতিৰ এলেকাত ৬.৫৮ পি.চি বৃদ্ধি হৈছে ,আনহাতে তৈলবীজত হ্ৰাস