Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: Assam has cemented its position as India’s third-largest rubber-producing state, trailing only Kerala and Tripura. This growth was announced in Guwahati during an outreach event marking 12 years of central governance, where officials showcased the state's expanding agricultural and industrial footprint.
Executive Director of the Rubber Board, M. Vasanthagesan, stated that the organization is focusing on both increasing cultivation area and boosting productivity to meet national demand. Currently, the Northeast region hosts 1.8 lakh hectares of rubber plantations, with approximately 50,000 hectares located within Assam. Much of this progress is attributed to the INROAD Project, a partnership between the Rubber Board and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association. Vasanthagesan noted that "plantation work has already been completed across 1,79,376 hectares, benefiting 2,07,248 growers up to the 2025 planting season."
Technological advancements are also supporting the industry, as Assam now hosts the world’s first genetically modified rubber plant specifically designed for the region’s unique climate. Beyond rubber, the state is diversifying its exports beyond traditional tea, with rising international demand for petroleum products, coal, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and toiletries.
Kapil Chaudhary, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, linked these gains to India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements. She emphasized that new federal support, including the upcoming Export Promotion Mission with an outlay of Rs 25,060 crore, aims to provide a digital framework to help domestic industries compete globally. Chaudhary encouraged local exporters and startup representatives to prioritize product quality, value addition, and branding to fully capitalize on these emerging market opportunities.
Comments