Rubber Board has submitted a proposal to the Centre highlighting the potential for rubber cultivation in areas affected by extremist activities in some parts of the country.
In an informal chat with presspersons on the sidelines of a meeting of rubber growers in Mangalore on Thursday, Sheela Thomas, Chairperson of the Rubber Board, said it has sent a proposal to the Government highlighting the potential for growing rubber in States such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Some of the areas in these States affected by extremist activities are good for rubber cultivation, she said.
Rubber is predominantly grown in Kerala. States such as Tripura and Karnataka also produce a good amount of rubber.
Stating that rubber is being grown in the north-eastern States, Thomas said the area of cultivation is not large. Rubber cultivation is also promoted in some parts of Maharashtra.
To a query on the proposal to set up a nursery-cum-demonstration rubber plantation in Dakshina Kannada region, she said the Rubber Board has written to the Karnataka Government seeking around 150 acres of land for this purpose.
Such a nursery would help meet the plant requirements of growers. The Rubber Board could also showcase good agricultural practices in a demonstration area, she said.