RUBBER SECTOR IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The financial assistance for the Rubber sector under the ‘Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector’ has been increased by 23% from Rs 576.41 crore to Rs 708.69 crore for the next 2 financial years (2024-25 and 2025-26).

Rubber Producing Regions in India

• Cultivation Statistics: In India, 8.5 lakh hectares are under rubber cultivation.
• Regional Breakdown: Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu contribute almost 5 lakh hectares, with 1 lakh hectares in Tripura.

oNortheastern states, especially Tripura and Assam, account for over 16% of total production.

• Global Distribution: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Brazil.
• Three Zones of Rubber Cultivation

oTraditional region: Kerala state and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

oNon-traditional region: All states other than Kerala and Kanyakumari District and North East region.

oNortheastern region: Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Climate requirements

• Soil and climate: It requires deep and lateritic fertile soil with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 6.0 and highly deficient in available phosphorous. 

oTropical climate with annual rainfall of 2000 – 4500 mm is suited for cultivation.

oMinimum and maximum temperature should be ranged from 25 to 34°C with 80 % relative humidity is ideal for cultivation. 

oRegions prone to heavy winds should be avoided.

• Season: June – July is optimum for cultivation.
• Method of propagation: Propagated by green budding, brown budding and crown budding.

Rubber

• About: Rubber, also called latex, as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds.
• India is the third largest producer, fourth largest consumer of natural rubber and fifth largest consumer of natural rubber and synthetic rubber together in the world. 
• The share of synthetic rubber in total rubber consumption in India is around 30% while the world average is 65%.