Aizawl, July 24 NNN : In a bid to carry out rubber plantation in Mizoram in a broader scale, a meeting of Rubber Board of India officials and concerned department officials of Mizoram was held under the chairmanship of state Soil and Water Conservation minister J.H.Rothuama in Aizawl today.J.H. Rothuama mentioned that since the 1960s rubber plantation has been started in Mizoram, and it has also been found that the plantation can be successful but due to difficulty in getting good saplings, the need of long duration, lack of technical know-how, only a few persons have planted. Since the success of the neighbouring Tripura state in rubber plantation, Mizoram government also has started taking initiatives to carry out rubber plantation. J.H.
Rothuama lauded Governor Vakkom Purusothaman and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla for arranging the consultative meeting today with officials of the Rubber Board of India, and said in order to carry out different schemes for rubber plantation by Mizoram Government, the assistance of Rubber Board of India will be needed.
Rubber Board of India Chairperson Sheela Thomas said that since the 1980s Rubber Board of India concentrated to North East India in its programme of rubber plantation, as a result of which Tripura becomes the second largest producer of rubber in India. She also said that only 1,000 Ha of land has been used for rubber plantation. Since Mizoram government has taken up steps now to carry out rubber plantation in a larger scale, the Rubber Board of India will provide assistance regarding nursery, new technology,subsidy for cultivators and others. In the meeting today, P.L.Thanga IAS (Rtd), Member & Secretary, State Planning Board highlighted the requirements for carrying out rubber plantation in a large scale by Mizoram government. P.L.Thanga mentioned that under the government flagship programme New Land Use Policy ( NLUP) 3000 beneficiaries have been selected for rubber plantation.
Mizoram has about 5,75,000 Ha for rubber plantation. The initiatives of state Soil and Water Conservation department and individuals cover only 50Ha.
Meanwhile, 1,117Ha has been estimated to cover under New Land Use Policy ( NLUP) Phase I & II; and for 2012-2013 1,000Ha under NABARD, and 1,300 Ha under RKVY, besides 5,000ha within 12th Plan under North Eastern Council (NEC).
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rubber-plantation-at-mizoram/
