Centre plans rubber plantations on 2 lakh hectares in Northeast

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Addressing the 'Destination Tripura Investment Summit' through video conferencing on Thursday, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal said that the Northeast can emerge as a hub for rubber production.

Goyal said Tripura is the second-largest producer of rubber in the country with 30,000 ha cultivation. The Minister called upon the Tripura government to be the first off the block and take advantage as the early harvester to expand rubber plantations in the state. The Central government has planned rubber plantations on a total of two lakh hectares in the northeastern states over five years.

Four major tyre companies represented by Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) have together undertaken to contribute Rs1,000 crore for rubber plantation development in 200,000-hectare land in the seven states of northeast India, over five years.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Rubber Board and ATMA on March 1 this year. Funds provided by the tyre companies are being used for procuring planting materials for commencing planting in 2021.

IANS from Agartala adds: Tripura currently cultivates natural rubber in 87,500 hectares of land and produces 90,000 tonnes of rubber annually.

Goyal said Tripura is home to the largest bamboo flooring unit and the state has the potential to emerge as the country's hub of Agarbatti industry by supplying bamboo sticks and making India 'Aatmanirbhar' on Bamboo.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream to transform the northeast region into 'Ashth Lakshmi' of India by the all-round development of the eight states, the Union Minister said that the Prime Minister has accorded priority to the 'Focus North-East' programme and the 'Make in India' programme has been implemented here as the 'Make in North-East' programme.

"A dedicated Northeast Desk has been set up in the Central government to improve infrastructure and promote the industry."

Goyal, appreciating the performance and development of Tripura under the leadership of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, said that the state government has been working tirelessly and giving priority to 3 Ns in the administration — Niyat, Niti and Niyam. Noting that Tripura is the 4th literate state in the Northeast region, he said that the state has a thriving handlooms industry with 1.36 lakh weavers. The Minister said that jackfruit from Tripura has been exported to London.

Goyal said that the Centre is encouraging usage of Agro-textiles and Geotechnical textiles in the northeast region through its dedicated schemes.

Goyal said the (under construction) cross-border Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail project with an investment of Rs 972 crore would promote exports. He said: "With Agartala airport emerging as the 2nd busiest airport in the northeast region, Tripura would act as a Gateway to the North East."

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