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Rubber Board Launches Projects iSNR and INR Konnect

Last updated on January 18th, 2025 Posted on January 18, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  738

Syllabus: GS1/ Geographical Resources, GS3/ Agriculture

In News

  • The Rubber Board of India has introduced two significant initiatives, iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect, as part of its efforts to enhance India’s rubber industry globally and boost domestic production. 

iSNR: Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber

  • Objective: Align Indian rubber production with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) standards and introduces traceability certification. 
  • Benefit: Facilitates easier access to European Union markets for stakeholders in the rubber supply chain.

INR Konnect: Web-Based Productivity Platform

  • Objective: Connects owners of untapped rubber plantations with adopters to improve productivity.
  • Features:
    • Certified Network: Rubber Board certifies growers, adopters, and tappers for credibility.
    • Training: Offers training in production management and sustainable practices.
    • Database: Maintains a comprehensive list of certified tappers.
  • Significance: Addresses the challenge of underutilized plantations, which comprise 20-25% of India’s rubber holdings, often neglected due to low rubber prices and absentee ownership.

India’s Rubber Industry 

  • Brief: India is the third-largest producer of natural rubber globally, following Thailand (1st) and Indonesia (2nd). India is the fourth-largest consumer of natural rubber.
    • Kerala accounts for over 90% of India’s natural rubber production. Other states include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya.
  • Key Challenges: Climate Change impacting yields, competition from other rubber-producing countries,  and labor shortages.
  • Government Initiatives: National Rubber Policy 2019 aims to enhance rubber production, improve productivity, and strengthen the domestic rubber industry.
    • Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector Scheme focuses on promoting sustainable rubber cultivation practices and improving the livelihoods of rubber growers.
    • INROAD Project: Focuses on maximizing the potential of untapped rubber plantations.
About Rubber Plantation
– Scientific Name: Hevea brasiliensis.
– Origin: Native to the Amazon River Basin.
– Introduction: Brought to tropical Asia and Africa by the British during colonial times.
– Rubber Extraction: Obtained as latex, a milky fluid that flows when the bark of the tree is tapped.
1. Latex is collected and processed to make natural rubber.
– Climatic Conditions Required:
1. Requires a tropical climate with annual rainfall of 200–300 cm, Temperature needed is  25°C to 34°C. 
2. Grows best in deep, well-drained, lateritic soil. Requires good water retention capacity and organic matter.
About Rubber Board of India
– Brief: The Rubber Board of India is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
1. Established under the Rubber Act, 1947, the board focuses on the development, promotion, and research of the rubber industry in India.
– Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala.
– Mission and Objectives
1. Development of the Rubber Sector.
2. Facilitate price stabilization and market access.
3. Promote domestic and export markets for natural rubber.
4. Undertake research on rubber cultivation, disease control, and high-yield varieties.
5. Provide training to rubber growers, tappers, and processors.

Source: TH

 
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