Guwahati: Assam is looking towards rubber plantation in a massive scale to project it as a profitable business in the state.
”Assam is ideally suited for rubber plantation and there is enough scope for largescale rubber cultivation. The state government will give more thrust to rubber plantation in the days ahead,” Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Prospects of rubber plantation in Assam for sustainable livelihood’ here, organized by the Rubber Board and the state Soil Conservation department.
The chief minister, however, pointed out that rubber cultivation must not be at the cost of growing other crops.
”As consumption is on the higher side with the demand and supply for food crops widening that may eventually result in food scarcity, priority must be given to cultivation of food crops,” he said, adding that his government would come up with a land use policy identifying the land that could be utilized for industry, paddy, bamboo and rubber cultivation.
Soil Conservation Minister Dr Ardhendu Dey, said his department will soon state a ‘rubber mission’ to emulate the success of Tripura and Kerala in terms of rubber production.
Dr Dey said his department has targeted 10,000 hectares in the next one year followed by 15,000 hectares in the subsequent years.
”As there is a potential area of 3 lakh hectares in the state out of which only 28,102 hectares are being under rubber plantation leaving a balance of over 2.70 lakh hectares, we would make all out-efforts to target one lakh hectares in the next five years,” he added.
The minister informed that a comparative analysis of tea and rubber plantation has shown that the cost of creation of rubber plantation in Assam is Rs 72,900 per hectare and in respect of tea is Rs 3 lakh per hectare.
”In respect of net monetary output (economic benefit) after maturity, 1 hectare of rubber plantation will yield Rs 3 lakh per annum at the rate of Rs 200 per kg while it will be Rs 1.50 lakh per annum at the rate of Rs 15 per kg per hectare in tea,” Dr Dey added.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman, Rubber Board, Sheela Thomas said efforts are being made to identify potential areas for expanding rubber plantation in the North East region, particularly Assam.
”Assam has a huge potential area of 2 lakh hectares and if these can be brought under rubber plantation through a holistic approach without harming the production of food crops, it can be a source of gainful employment and sustainable livelihood for the rural masses,” she said. UNI SG PL RN1607