Date:12/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041201141000.htm

Back Rubber output, offtake up

Our Correspondent

Kottayam , April 11

THERE has been considerable increase in production and consumption of rubber during the last fiscal, according to Mr S.M. Desalphine Chairman, Rubber Board.

Addressing the 153rd meeting of the Rubber Board, Mr Desalphine said with a 5.4 per cent increase in growth rate, the total production and consumption would have reached 7,50,000 tonnes and 7,55,000 tonnes, respectively.

According to the latest figures, exports were 45,815 tonnes. The present rubber subsidy schemes would continue as such. For this, Rs 150 crore plantation development scheme would be implemented. As per the Rubber Plantation Development Scheme (RPDS), subsidy would be given to both replanting and new planting.

A revolving fund of Rs 10 crore has been set apart for Rubber Producers Societies (RPS).

The group has implemented several extension programmes such as setting up of demonstration plots, distribution of inputs, implementation of women development programmes, arranging off campus training, seminars and group meetings, identification of areas suitable for replanting besides directly engaging in collection of latex and community processing.

The various schemes proposed include promoting bee-keeping and establishing nurseries.