Agartala, Nov 19: Natural rubber has emerged as a major contributor to Tripura’s rural development and employment generation, Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the National Award Ceremony of the Rubber Board’s electronic trading platform mRube at Pragna Bhavan, she noted that the state government has strengthened the sector through multiple interventions, including approval for genetically modified rubber, quality-improvement programmes, support for smoke-house units, and large-scale expansion under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission.
The Minister added that the central schemes implemented through the Rubber Board—ranging from subsidies and free training to drone-assisted disease control and labour welfare initiatives—have further empowered growers and industries across the state.
Rubber Board Executive Director M. Vasanthagesan said the mRube portal has ensured transparent and efficient trading for rubber growers. He informed that over 60,000 hectares in Tripura have been brought under new plantations through the INROAD scheme. Emphasising the importance of quality, he urged producers to focus on improved processing to secure better market prices.
Industries and Commerce Secretary Kiran Gitte highlighted the significant role of natural rubber in Tripura’s GDP growth.
This year, Balkrishna Tyres received the Best Performer Award in the tyre sector. Other awardees included Classic Industries Exports, Ceyenar Associates, Manimalayar Rubbers (Guwahati), Thunchathu Ezhuthachan Rubbers, Kavanar Latex, Poothrikka RPS, and North Salimara Rubber Producers’ Society.
Each awardee was presented Rs 50,000 and a citation for achieving the highest trading volume on mRube, which has facilitated the trade of more than 43,500 tonnes of natural rubber valued at Rs 680 crore since its launch in 2022.
