The Rubber Skill Development Council (RSDC) has launched Project Saamrath, which is aimed at skilling, upskilling and reskilling 10 lakh personnel involved in the rubber sector, by 2020.

Over 10 lakh personnel are involved in NR (natural rubber) plantation work and the requirement of skilling is huge for increasing production and productivity.

The Council has joined hands with the Rubber Board in upskilling the growers. The Rubber Board has expertise in spearheading the skilling drive in NR plantations, said Vinod Simon, Chairman, RSDC.

The training is being provided under the Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana across natural rubber plantations, tyre services and rubber manufacturing.

The training is provided for jobs such as Latex Harvest Technician (tapper), Rubber Nursery General Worker, Rubber Processing Technician—Rubber Sheeting and General Worker Rubber Plantation, among others .

Skilling of the tapper is important as an unskilled tapper may adversely impact the yield and damage the rubber tree. In Kerala many holdings are believed to have been left untapped owing to the shortage of skilled tappers.

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