What are the main thrust areas of the Rubber Board?

Gayatri Medhi,

Nagaon

The Indian Rubber Board was constituted under the Rubber Act, 1947. It functions under the Union ministry of commerce and industries and has several thrust areas. They are:

- Promoting measures it thinks fit for the development of the rubber industry.

- Undertaking, assisting or encouraging scientific, tech- nological as well as economic research.

- Providing training in improved methods of planting, cultivation and other cultural practices.

- Providing technical advice to the rubber growers.

- Improving the marketing of rubber.

- Collecting statistics.

- Securing better working conditions for the workers.

- Advising the Centre on all matters related to the rubber industry, including import and export.

How much rubber is produced in the Northeast and which state is the leading producer?

Naren Chandra Sarma,

Dibrugarh

The total production of rubber in the Northeast during 2001-02 was 15,133 tonnes and Tripura is the leading producer with 10,304 tonnes.

After Tripura started exporting rubber, what steps did the Rubber Board take to promote rubber production in Assam?

Mehzabeen Ahmed,

Morigaon

M/s Manimalayar Rubber (Private) Limited, a leading company promoted by the Rubber Board, has already exported 81 tonnes of natural rubber from Tripura.

The Guwahati branch of this agency is exploring the possibilities of exporting rubber from Assam to neighbouring countries like Nepal.

How good is the prospect of rubber production in the Northeast considering the vast area available for cultivation of rubber?

Umesh Kalita,

Bongaigaon

The Rubber Board has identified nearly 4.5 lakh hectares of land suitable for rubber cultivation in the northeastern states.

So far, nearly 50,000 hectares are under cultivation in this region.

Most of the planted areas are in the immaturity period. The rubber plant has a gestation period of seven years.

So there is scope for expansion of rubber cultivation in the Northeast.

What kind of help can the Rubber Board provide to an entrepreneur who wants to set up a rubber-based industry?

Lila Das Gohain,

Teok

The technical consultancy division of the rubber board assists in the setting up of rubber-based industries by providing:

- Project profiles on various rubber goods.

- Technical bulletins, which detail the manufacturing techniques.

- Detailed project report for obtaining financial assistance from financial institutions.

- Market survey report.

- Training on manufacturing of different rubber-based goods and others.

Are there any rubber-based industries in the Northeast?

T.K. Nath,

Silchar

At present, there are five rubber-based industries manufacturing different kind of items in the Northeast. They are cycle tyres and tubes, thread rubber, rubber-based solution and foam mattresses.