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DIMAPUR — The executive director of Rubber Board of India, M Vasanthagesan, on Saturday inaugurated the first rubber tapping training centre at TOKA MPCS Ltd. Training Centre in Ikishe village under Dimapur district.
Delivering welcome speech at the inauguration programmee, the managing director and secretary of Toka MPCS Ltd., K Kathi Chishi, informed that rubber project has provided permanent employment to 175 Naga youth from all districts of Nagaland.
He stated that the training, spanning eight days, would include free accommodation and meals with trainers from the Rubber Board of India to provide comprehensive knowledge and expertise in rubber tapping. He stated that an approximate 30 million trees remain untapped, presenting a significant potential for employment opportunities.
In his short speech, Vasanthagesan, stated that the Rubber Board was established in April 1947. He mentioned that in 1948, India produced only around 20,000 tonne of latex per year, whereas it produced 8.57 lakh tonne of latex last year.
As the demand was 14.16 lakh tonne of latex, he stated that 30% to 40% of its requirement was imported from other countries. He added that India exports rubber products worth INR 1 lakh crore annually.
He mentioned that there are around 13 lakh rubber growers in India with Kerala state as the largest producer of rubber followed by Tripura. He added that Nagaland has the potential to be among the largest producer of rubber in the country.
Vasanthagesa informed that over 10,000 hectares of rubber plantation in various districts of Nagaland remain untapped scientifically and professionally. To address the problem, he stated that the rubber tapping training programme is being implemented in Nagaland. He added that the revenue generated from rubber production would enhance the socio-economic development of the region.
He highlighted two crucial activities regarding rubber in Nagaland- the first being the ongoing expansion of new rubber plantations in the region, which is carried out in partnership with the tyre industry and the other being the presence of 17,000 hectares of untapped rubber plantations.
He further stated that by focusing on the expansion of rubber cultivation, training tappers and fostering local partnerships, Nagaland could harness its rubber tree resources to generate substantial employment and bolster the region's economic development.