INROAD Project Expands Natural Rubber Coverage Across 70,000 Hectares in North-East India

In a significant stride towards bolstering natural rubber cultivation in the North-East region, nearly 70,000 hectares (ha) have been successfully brought under farming through the INROAD project over the course of three years. This achievement marks one of the largest expansions of rubber plantations in the North-East within a three-year timeframe.

The INROAD initiative, formally known as Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development, aims to support the development of 2 lakh hectares of rubber plantations in the North-East, under the active guidance of the Commerce Ministry. Collaborating with the Rubber Board, the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), representing tire manufacturers nationwide, has played a pivotal role in executing the project.

Thus far, the project has facilitated the planting of over 3 crore trees, benefiting approximately 80,000 beneficiaries across 93 districts in the North-Eastern states. Anshuman Singhania, Chairman of ATMA, highlighted the project's remarkable progress, noting that despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical hurdles, nearly 70,000 hectares or 86% of the targeted plantation area has been achieved in the initial three-year period.

Singhania emphasized the project's broader socio-economic objectives, envisioning significant benefits for resource-poor populations in the region. With plantations spanning 2 lakh hectares, the initiative is poised to positively impact nearly 2.5 lakh farmers and their families, while comprehensive capacity building and skill training initiatives are expected to revolutionize the plantation sector in the long run.

To support the project's ambitious goals, the industry has committed ₹1,000 crore towards establishing new plantations across 2 lakh hectares, in addition to an additional ₹100 crore dedicated to enhancing the quality of natural rubber through the adoption of best practices, skill development, and training.

India's rising global stature in the automotive sector bodes well for stakeholders across the value chain, including the domestic tire industry and the natural rubber sector. However, the persistent demand-supply gap for natural rubber within India remains a concern, with approximately 40% of the requirement currently being met through imports. The INROAD project is poised to address some of these challenges, contributing towards meeting the country's burgeoning demand for natural rubber, estimated to reach 20 lakh tonnes per year by 2030.

HBL