Growth and Challenges of Rubber Plantation in North-Eastern States of India

Rubber Plantation in North-Eastern States of India

Abstract

The paper discussed the growth and challenges of rubber plantation in north-eastern states of India. It has been found that there are bright prospects of rubber plantation in the region. Rubber plants were first planted in 1950 in Assam. It helps in changing livelihoods of the tribal communities. Karimkhanj, Karbi Anglong, Kamrup and Goalpara districts are leading in rubber plantation. Rubber plantation is popular among the tribes in the East, West, North and South Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Peren, Mokokchung, Wokha, and Dimapur districts are popular for rubber plantation in Nagaland. Tuensang, Zunheboto, Mon, and Longleng are other districts have more potentiality for such plantation. Rubber board was introduced rubber plantation in Arunachal Pradesh in 1980s.  The first rubber tree was planted in Tripura by Forest Department of Tripura in 1963.  Tripura and Assam are far ahead then the other states of the region. This region is considered as non-traditional rubber plantation. Rubber plantation have positive impact on the financial status of the cultivators. Lack of skill workers, low price of rubber sheet, low quality of the rubber sheet, shortage of government subsidies, lack of support from the government agencies, and shortage of modern technologies are the basic challenges before the rubber cultivators.