The Rubber Board has introduced WhatsApp facility for rubber growers to seek scientific advice in identifying pests and diseases in their holdings.

The Rubber Board Chairman A Ajith Kumar at Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) inaugurated the facility on Monday. The service is operated by RRII for helping farmers to diagnose pests and diseases. In cases when a grower finds it difficult to diagnose a problem, images of the affected portion of the plant taken on mobile phone may be sent to the designated WhatsApp number. Experts from the Pathology Division of RRII will identify the problem and appropriate recommendations will be given back to the grower via WhatsApp itself.

The mobile number earmarked for the purpose is 9496333117. The rubber grower can also seek the service of Rubber Clinic, presently being operated by RRII for diagnosing the occurrence of pests and diseases. The address of Rubber Clinic is http://clinic.rubberboard.org.in. Our Bureau