The subsidy scheme announced by the Kerala government for the benefit of small rubber growers has met with a lacklustre response from the rubber belt.
Almost a month after it came into force, the number of growers registered under the scheme is only in thousands though there are around a million falling under the small scale category.
The scheme envisages payment of Rs 150 a kg to farmers having rubber plantations up to two hectares. The current market price of natural rubber is around Rs 125 a kg and the difference in price is paid through the subsidy scheme.
The amount will be sent directly to the growers’ bank accounts. Given the muted response to the scheme, the government is likely to extend the deadline of July 31. – The Economic Times