The increase in rubber production continues and the production of natural rubber (NR) in January shows an increase of 26.93 per cent as compared to the same period last year.

January production stood at 66,000 tonnes whereas it was 52,000 tonnes in January 2016.

The increase in production during the April 2016-January 2017 period as compared to the same period last year is 14.84 per cent.

Total production in the current fiscal year up to January 2017 is 5,65,000 tonnes whereas it was 4,92,000 tonnes during the same period last year.

If this trend continues, production of NR during this fiscal year is expected to reach the anticipated 6.54 lakh tonnes.

Export of NR from the country has increased owing to the relatively higher international market price that is prevailing.

Export of NR up to 20 February 2017 stood at 12,000 tonnes. The steady increase in production of NR can be attributed to improved market price and initiatives taken by the Board at the field level, including mass contact programmes to improve production and productivity.

In the first phase of the ‘Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)’ training programme under the Pradhan Manthri Kausal Vikas Yojana, about 10,000 persons were trained in rubber tapping and processing.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has already approved the second phase, for training of another 22,000 people in Kerala, Tripura and Assam.

The Board proposes to conduct a study in Kerala on the impact of the RPL training programmes already conducted.

The study is aimed at understanding the improvement in quality of tapping and its direct impact on increase in productivity.

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