Dimapur, May 29 (MExN): According to the survey conducted by the department of Land Resources, out of a total geographical area of 162800ha, rubber can be successfully cultivated in 1,16,546 hectares along the foothills and valley lands of Wokha district. The total yield per hectare in full grown plantation is at 2.0 MT (4.5 Kgs per tree) of dry rubber annually which is valued at Rs. 4.00 lakhs per Ha per annum in the last season. The unit cost of cultivation at current rate from initial development till maturity is estimated at Rs. 1.00 lakh per ha.
A DIPR reports stated that with the support of the DPO Land Resources Department Wokha and staffs, the newly installed Rubber Processing unit at Zayio valley MPCS rubber farm, Upper Baghty was inaugurated on May 22. The Zayio valley MPCS rubber farmers, Upper Baghty, the rubber beneficiaries, assured to maintain the synergy and further guaranteed their cooperation to the department. The programme was presided by Mhathung Yanthan Chairman Zayio valley MPCS. The programme was attended by more than 60 farmers.
Tepunol Yore, DPO Wokha speaking as the chief guest mentioned the prospects and potentials of rubber plantation in Wokha district. He highlighted the present status of rubber plantation in Wokha. He further said that rubber being labour intensive, can generate gainful employment opportunities and ensure economic returns to the rural people thereby providing viable alternative to shifting cultivation. In view of these, rubber cultivation is fast gaining importance in Wokha. Apart from achieving the major objective of increasing rubber production, rubber plantation also serve other interests such as social, economic and ecological. The rubber tree has already proved its role as an eco-friendly tree which can recuperate the vast expanse of land which is subjected to degradation as a result of deforestation and jhumming. Rubber is a rain-fed crop and can thrive well even in marginal soils with suitable agro-management practices Rubber can also be grown in areas which are not extremely suitable for other crops.
ARCS, Wokha T. Likhaba Sangtam also encouraged and exhorted to the rubber growers and said, ‘rubber growers must join hands and work together as a co-operative society and venture in groups and one day you'll be number one’.
