Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 14
The Confederation of Nagaland Farmers Union (CONFU) in association with Rubber Board of India (RBI) today conducted a one day awareness programme on rubber plantation in Nagaland with the active participation of CONFU members from 13 divisions of 60 Assembly Constituencies in Nagaland.
Gracing the programme held at NPF central office conference hall, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner PK Ramachandran said that Rubber Board is trying to promote rubber plantation wherever feasible. He said rubber farming is a long standing crop which matures from 7 years and from the 8th year budding can be carried out anytime of the year, however too dry or very wet weather is not suitable for the best result. He also said that rubber is a long duration plantation crop with productivity period of nearly 25 years. He said during the planting process for better growth and yield selection of good quality planting material is utmost important for proper establishment of plantation.
Ramachandran in his address also said that in the global scenario 4.45 lakhs average are employed in rubber plantation in India. He also said that during 2009-10 natural resources growers income has been raise to Rs. 9559 crops and observed that rubber plantation is economically beneficial for the NE Region. It provides green umbrella cover above and purifies atmosphere through carbon sequestration and also improves soil properties through addition of organic matter and keeps the soil cool thus enriches porosity and give eco-restoration through rubber cultivation, he added.
He also informed that Rubber Board Development programme in north east is to promote rubber planting by providing technical and financial assistance however financial assistance is limited to growers with the area upto 2000 hac only. He encouraged the land owner to plant the rubber on the availability of land. He said that special features of north east that effect rubber plantation is occasionally from hail storm, flash flood, landslide and cyclone.
Ramachandran also said that rubber board is considering Rs. 20000 subsidy for individual growers for the construction of smoke house and an award from the rubber board is also given to recognise best performance to promote healthy competition in the region. Further, he sought the support of the state government for block planting and to consider rubber plantation as a priority crop for rehabilitation of tribal people.
CONFU president Lanukaba said that CONFU sees rubber as a lucrative crop for the low lands in the state. “We have been trying to play the role of a facilitator between farming community and the government,” he said adding that CONFU got in touch with RBI during 2011 and from there it found rubber plantation can be done by even the poorest of the poor if the right information, knowledge and motivation is given to them. “We looked into how the Land Resources Development is taking up rubber plantation and also how Rubber Board is ready to extent help to the farmers.” He said the most immediate urgency is regarding development of planting material at the plantation sites or at least within Nagaland. CONFU team is moving for Kotayam, Kerela on June 19 for a special training on rubber plantation. “CONFU dreams to see that poor farmers are given the opportunity to own rubber trees on their own capacities,” said Lanukaba adding that a farmer owning atleast a unit of rubber trees may create a huge difference in rural economy in the near future.
Binoy Lukhose, development officer, Thomas Joseph, assistant development officer, A. Lama, field officer, all from RBI spoke at the programme. CONFU treasurer Pusazo Luruo and CONFU secretary Rokobikho Savino chaired the inaugural and technical session respectively. The programme concluded with vote of thanks proposed by CONFU vice president T. Khongo.
(With inputs from DIPR)
