Executive Director of the Rubber Board, M Vasanthagesan, emphasized the pivotal role of rubber production in enhancing the socio-economic landscape of Assam during a meeting with a media delegation from the state at the Rubber Board headquarters in Kottayam, Kerala. He highlighted that Assam stands as the third-largest producer of natural rubber in India and outlined the historical context and expansion of rubber cultivation in the region. Vasanthagesan pointed to the promising prospects for increasing rubber production due to favorable agro-climatic conditions and rising market demand. During the discussion, which included other senior officials such as B Sreekumar, Deputy Director (Publicity & Public Relations), Vasanthagesan underscored the strategic significance of natural rubber within India’s industrial framework. He noted that the tyre industry consumes over 65% of the country’s domestic natural rubber, with the remainder supporting non-tyre sectors, including medical devices, footwear, consumer goods, and various industrial applications. He reinforced the Rubber Board’s critical role in bolstering the entire rubber value chain, which encompasses cultivation, processing, marketing, and skill development.
Moreover, Vasanthagesan spoke about technological innovations being advocated by the Rubber Board aimed at improving productivity and sustainability. Among these innovations are drone-based spraying technology for efficient management of plantations and nano-oil applications designed to enhance yield and resource use. In terms of production statistics, he reported a consistent increase in natural rubber production in India, projecting it to reach approximately 8.75 lakh tonnes during the 2024-25 period. Despite this growth in production, he pointed out that domestic consumption surpasses production levels at over 14.1 lakh tonnes, driven by strong demand from the tyre and related industries. The media delegation also received practical insight into the rubber tapping process through a demonstration, enriching their understanding of the operations at the plantation level. These visits equipped journalists from Assam with essential knowledge about the rubber industry, the latest technological innovations, and the Rubber Board’s role in fostering sustainable development across rubber-producing regions in the country.