Rubber Board set to launch platform to tackle tapper shortage in Keralam

The Rubber Board’s ‘INR Konnect’ digital platform, aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled rubber tappers, will soon become operational.

According to N. Hari,chairman, Rubber Board, the platform will connect rubber tappers with plantation owners seeking tapping personnel. “The platform will be launched after the completion of security checks. It is aimed at ensuring the availability of skilled workers to plantations where tapping operations have been disrupted due to labour shortages,” he said.

With the shortage of skilled tappers posing a major challenge to the rubber plantation sector, the Rubber Board has also launched special training programmes to encourage greater participation of women in rubber tapping and other plantation-related activities.

The programmes aim to equip women with skills in tapping and estate management while creating employment opportunities in the sector, Mr. Hari said. “Pro-women training programme aimed at ensuring women’s representation is being vigorously implemented by the Rubber Board. Over the past month, 1,256 women have undergone training under various programmes,” he said.

The board has also trained 980 rural women in northeast India in rubber tapping, estate management and related activities. The National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT), under the Rubber Board, conducts specialised programmes for women in latex harvesting technology and tapping skills to encourage them to take up rubber tapping and help address the labour shortage. Internships have also been provided to 92 students, Mr. Hari said.

Rubber subsidies

Meanwhile, the board has asked the State government to utilise funds earmarked for rubber subsidies under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme (RPIS) for the benefit of farmers, as market prices have remained above the threshold for such assistance.

“Rubber prices have not fallen below the floor price of ₹250 per kg fixed by the State government,” Mr. Hari said. He added that there were indications that prices could rise to around ₹300 per kg soon.