Guwahati, Dec 3: Northeast India now contributes to 38 per cent of the country’s Natural (NR) production with 200,000 hectares being added under the Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) project.
Over the first four years, the project has successfully covered 125,272 hectares across 94 districts in the Northeast and parts of West Bengal, marking one of the largest NR plantation expansions in India within a four-year span.
Launched as a unique public-private collaboration, INROAD is the first initiative globally where the tyre industry plays a direct role in developing rubber plantations. Financially backed by four key members of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) — Apollo, Ceat, JK, and MRF — the project is implemented by the Rubber Board of India. The goal is to develop 200,000 hectares of NR plantations in the Northeast and West Bengal.
“Despite numerous challenges, nearly 90% of the plantation target for the initial four years has been achieved,” said Rajiv Budhraja, Director General of ATMA. “The project has not only expanded planting areas but also strengthened local nurseries and enhanced the skills of growers, demonstrating the power of collaboration between tyre companies and the Rubber Board of India.”
In the last four years, a record-breaking 5.3 crore planting materials have been distributed. The project has been particularly impactful for marginalized communities, engaging farmers with landholdings of less than one acre. Once fully implemented, INROAD is expected to improve the economic and social status of 2.5 lakh beneficiaries.
Before INROAD’s launch, the Northeast accounted for 23% of India’s NR plantation area. With the completion of the additional 200,000 hectares, this share is projected to rise to 38%, with NR production in the region increasing from 16% to 32%.
“As the plantation matures, the next phase involves developing infrastructure, such as model smokehouses, and introducing new practices to enhance productivity and sustainability,” added Budhraja.
The INROAD project not only represents a transformative shift for India’s rubber industry but also promises a lasting socio-economic impact on the Northeast, positioning the region as a key contributor to the nation’s rubber economy.
