THE GOVERNMENT of Odisha, an Indian state in southeast coast, has set up programmes to promote the cultivation of rubber and coffee as an income generating activity amongst tribes.
The programme, which will encompass 85,000 acres of land in the tribal districts with an investment of Rs 738.49 crore, will span from 2013 to 2022.
The proposal has been tackled at a high-level review meeting presided over by chief secretary BK Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
ST and SC Development Secretary Santosh Sarangi presented a roadmap on both the cash crops of rubber and coffee, which would provide ample job opportunities and income to tribals .
At least 45,000 acres of land would be covered under rubber plantation in five Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in Mayurbhanj and Gajapati districts to benefit 45,000 tribal farmers.
The Indian Rubber Board has agreed to chip in Rs 16.92 crore into the Rs 255.73 crore fund that would be sourced from the Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and MGNREGS.
Rubber plantation has already been undertaken in the ITDAs of Baripada, Kaptipada, Rairangpur and Parlakhemundi in 1170 acres, for which Rs 1.21 crore has been allocated.