Rubber cultivation to increase in Tripura

Agartala, Dec 17 (UNI) The Rubber Board has taken all out efforts to increase rubber production in the state and earmarked one lakh hectare of land for rubber cultivation in a short time.

Tripura is in second position in rubber production after Kerala and at present 31 hectare of land was under rubber cultivation throughout the state, official sources said.

During the coming five years, it would be possible to bring 60 to 65 hectare of land under rubber cultivation, sources said adding the growers would now have a great scope to sell their produce to the Rubber Tantu Production Centre at Bodhjungnagar, about 15 km from here in west district.

There was no more scope to expand rubber cultivation in Kerala and for this purpose the Rubber Board had been instructed by the Union Government to take all out efforts to expand the cultivation in the North Eastern region, including Tripura.

The Union Government will extend all possible help to the state government to increse the production to engage more rural people for the uplift of their position.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh, who recently visited the state, averred that Tripura would be the country's next leader within a few years in rubber-based industry and the region would usher in a new industrial and commercial arena.

Commenting on the proposal for setting up a Bamboo Board on the lines of Tea and Rubber and Coffee Boards, the Union Minister said it was also a subject for consideration and if such board was constituted, the head office should be in the region.

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