Guwahati, January 07, 2024: The ambitious Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) project, aimed at revolutionizing rubber plantations in the North East, has taken another significant step toward empowering rubber growers. With the project entering its fifth year, ₹100 crore has been earmarked for improving rubber quality through skill development and advanced infrastructure.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, Arnab Banerjee, Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and Managing Director & CEO of Ceat Limited, highlighted the project’s progress. “Our goal is not just to increase natural rubber production but to ensure the quality of rubber improves, which will fetch better prices for growers. This ₹100 crore allocation will support skill development and the establishment of model infrastructure tailored for the North East,” Banerjee said.
INROAD, a global-first initiative by the tyre industry, is financially supported by ATMA members Apollo, Ceat, JK, and MRF and implemented by the Rubber Board of India. The project has already achieved significant milestones, covering 125,272 hectares across 94 districts in the North East and parts of West Bengal in just four years. Over 5.3 crore planting materials have been distributed to marginal farmers, most of whom own less than an acre of land.
Banerjee emphasized the importance of infrastructure in tapping and processing natural rubber. “We are focusing on skill-based training through digital platforms and building Model Smokehouses and Processing Centres to enhance rubber quality,” he said. These facilities are designed to support small landholders through a community-driven approach, empowering the entire region.
Marking a key milestone, Banerjee inaugurated the first Model Smokehouse in Goalpara, Assam, dedicated to the Bhaishkhuli Pragatishil Mohila Samittee, a cooperative of 65 women rubber growers committed to sustainable practices. The cooperative received 16,250 high-yielding rubber plants under the INROAD initiative during 2022 and 2023.
“This smokehouse is a game-changer,” Banerjee remarked during the inauguration. “It will not only improve the quality of rubber sheets but also enhance the livelihoods of these women growers. This is a step toward their economic empowerment.”
The smokehouse will serve as both a processing facility and a training hub for local growers, showcasing methods to produce higher-quality rubber. One of the cooperative members shared her excitement: “With this smokehouse, we can now produce better rubber sheets and earn more for our hard work. This is a dream come true for us.”
As the INROAD project progresses, its emphasis on sustainability, quality, and community empowerment continues to make a transformative impact on the region’s rubber industry.
