From our correspondant
AGARTALA: Virtually warning against any complacency, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Thursday called upon experts and rubber growers to emphasis on high productivity and quality of raw rubber.
Though Tripura stands at second position in terms of natural rubber production with only 8.2 percent of country’s total demand, it will be tough to retain the position because big players have already started showing interest in the field, he said while speaking in programme organized by the Rubber Board at Projna Bhavan here.
“There has been a wide gap between Kerala and Tripura when it comes to productivity of natural rubber and experts as well rubber growers must look into the matter to find suitable ways”, he said.
Kerala, which is considered as pathfinder in rubber cultivation in the entire country, has been enjoying the top position in rubber production with supplying 82 percent of the country’s total raw rubber demand.
Chief Minister, in his speech underlined need to improve the productivity to retain the prestigious slot, said that the state would surely face strong competition with other states coming up with massive rubber plantation.
In her brief but significance speech, Ms Sheela Thomas, the Chairman of the Rubber Board dispel the doubt regarding environmental aspect centering rubber cultivation.
“In Kerala, a total of 5 lakh land has been brought under the natural rubber cultivation. In spite of that there is no adverse impact on environment there then why this should be in Tripura? Rather rubber tree has almost all the attributes of a forest tree”, she pointed out.
Ms Thomas also emphasized on increase in productivity. “ Tripura could easily enhance production of raw rubber from 25000 kg per hectre to 40000 kg per hectare by adopting some scientific measures”, he said.
Availability of good planting materials, applying of scientific methods right from plantation to tapping would prove beneficial to enhance productivity, she said.
Industries Minister Jintendra Chowdhury, Chief Executive Member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Ranjit Debbarma and Addl Rubber Production Commissioner KG Mohanan were present in the programme that was organized to award best rubber producers’ award, beest male rubber grower, best female rubber grower and best rubber society.