How Rubber Industry can become Atmanirbhar

Planting and Replanting

According to the National Rubber Policy, 2019, the country's NR consumption by 2030 is expected to be over 2.00 million tonnes. However, in 2030, the local production will be able to cover 75% of the NR demand.

To bridge the gap between demand and supply by 2030 and beyond, a quick analysis shows that India should have a total area of at least 10 lakh ha of yielding plantation with a productivity of 2 tonnes ha-1 yr-1.

At least two lakh ha of the present mature holdings that are old and senile should be replanted immediately. By 2030 about two lakh ha of immature fields will additionally come into maturity. Additionally, another two lakh ha should be planted in the next six years to obtain 10 lakh ha of mature plantation in 2030. Area expansion should concentrate in North Eastern states, particularly in the state of Assam and also in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra where land is available and productivity has the potential to go up compared to other non-traditional areas of the country, states a study titled A Road Map For Attaining Self-Reliance In Natural Rubber Production In India By 2030.

Shift from Sheet Rubber to Block Rubber

Today, Indian producers focus on producing sheet rubber since it guarantees a better farm gate price, while block rubber output in India is currently in small amounts (ranging from 15-20 percent), and additionally, it is processed from aged scrap. Whereas, in Southeast Asian and other natural rubber producing countries, the production of block rubber is around 80 percent and it is processed from new cup lumps to assure superior grades.

Owing to the consistency in properties and low cost of production, Today, the global focus is on block rubber. However, as the recent circumstances states, in India 80% of the block rubber imported, which according to the National Rubber policy,2019 needs a shift in approaching rubber processing from predominantly sheet rubber and promoting block rubber in the country.

Role of NIRT and RRII

To fix the ongoing event, the role of National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) and Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) is crucial and immense.

Over the past National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) formerly known as Rubber Training Institute(RTI), has taken crucial steps in collaboration with external bodies under Central and State Governments like massive launching of skill development programmes for the plantations sector in the natural rubber growing states under the PMKVY project, Union ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, employability enhancement programmes for students under ASAP project, and more.

However, the need of the hour is to initiate long-term academic programmes in plant science and rubber technology, such as degree, post-graduate diploma, and certificate courses, in collaboration with affiliated universities, to bring change management for cluster self-reliance empowerment through business development, promotion of value addition through internal programmes, and more.

Whereas, the RRII has to be more resilient in delivering advanced innovation to propel domestic production in India. In the present scenario, innovations like high yielding hybrid rubber clones needs to be spread across the country for a robust and Atmanirbhar future.