A draft for a National Rubber policy has been written by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to address the needs of all stakeholders and promote national economic progress.
The policy will oversee manufacturing of tyres, NR production and processing, general rubber products, trading ancillary activities and other rubber related activities. It aims to initiate the growth of the rubber industry and its stakeholders.
In line with the policy, the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Rubber Board and other Ministries would formulate a Rubber Industry Development Plan to address all rubber related concerns.An independent Rubber Products Export Promotion Council would also be created to focus on MSMEs and tyres and general rubber products exportation concerns. The development of Rubber Parks is also on its way if the policy is implemented.
Livelihood protection for rubber growers would be considered by implementing price support and providing insurance parallel with the existing norms and policies. The policy would further ensure the quality and standardization of rubber sheets by establishing Group Processing Centres (GPC) for effluent treatment, latex processing, biogas and the like.
To address the shortage of rubber tappers, Tappers Banks would be set up as Self Help Groups (SHG) and Rubber Producers Societies (RPS) would be formalised. These RPS/SHGs would also be supported to ensure effective latex, sheet and scrap collection.
The policy would also coordinate with RRII, IRMRA, IITs, Universities and research facilities of major companies to boost technology exchange, minimise duplication in efforts, and enhance outputs.
Furthermore, promotion of Rubber wood as an alternative source of timber and road rubberisation would be promoted to increase demand on rubber.
“NR consumption in the country in 2030 is projected at around 12 million tonne. It is envisaged that the domestic production is able to meet at least 75% of the NR requirement in 2O3O. In order to attain the projected production, average annual new planting and replanting would be to the tune of at least 8,000 ha and 10,000 ha respectively. Efforts would be made to get all the available mature area under rubber tapped,” the policy says.
The draft policy is put up in the public domain in order to seek wider consultation
and feedback/suggestions from the stakeholders so as to provide the final shape to the policy.