Insurgency-hit Bastar to emerge as next hub of India's rubber production

Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 26 : Popularly known for IED blasts, encounters, killings, and others, the insurgency-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh is going to emerge as the next hub of rubber production in India.

In the task of becoming another rubber-producing hub of the country, Shaheed Gundadhur College of Agriculture and Research Station in support of the Chhattisgarh Government and Rubber Board Kottayam has carried out plantation of rubber on land of the research station as well as farmers. Initial findings of the plantation have shown positive results.
Keeping in the interest of farmers and to enhance their income, the institute has carried out plantation of rubber for research purposes with support from Rubber Board Kottayam and the government here, said Dean of Shaheed Gundadhur College of Agriculture and Research Station Dr R S Netam.
Based on the research findings, the crop will be taken to the land of farmers so that their economic condition can be strengthened, said Dr Netam.
Rubber crops will help strengthen the economic condition of farmers because they give yield for a long time, he added.
Shedding details about the yield, the dean said that the lifespan of Rubber crops is around 60 years, and start generating income after attaining the age of seven years and continue till 40 years. If everything goes well, then the plan is to motivate farmers for opting cultivation of rubber in their fields. With the support of the administration, the plan is to ensure the cultivation of lands of farmers so that their economic condition can be improved.
"We believe that the initiative will be very appropriate for Bastar as per the climatic conditions of Bastar," said the Dean.
Speaking about the growth of planted saplings, Netam said that in one year, the planted saplings have achieved a height of 3-4 feet. After seeing the growth of plants, it seems like the plan will be effective for us as well as farmers.
Currently, we have planted rubber on 2.5 acres of land within the campus of the research station and around 3 acres owned by local farmers, informed Dr Netam.
According to the growth of plants in the next seven years, the planning of area expansion will be considered, said Dr Netam.
When asked about the plan for processing rubbers, the Dean said that training for the collection of rubbers (of different quality), cutting, agronomy practices, and others will be provided to farmers engaged in farming of rubbers so that they could get good pricing. As the production increases, it will attract rubber industries generating employment here.
Notably, the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rubber Research Institute of India (Kottayam) in 2023 for the cultivation of rubber in Bastar.