Kerala to introduce price support scheme for rubber farmers

With plunging rubber prices, Kerala government today announced a price support scheme whereby small-scale rubber farmers would get an assured price of Rs 150 per kg.
As part of the scheme, the government would ensure that small-scale rubber growers with two hectares of land or less get an assured price of Rs 150, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy informed the Assembly.
"A total of Rs 300 crore has been earmarked in the state budget for ensuring fair price for rubber. The amount will be utilised for the new scheme," he said in response to a calling attention motion by Mons Joseph, MLA.

As per the scheme, the differences between the daily price announced by the Rubber Board and the support price of Rs 150 would be credited to the account of the farmer.
Farmers who avail the scheme would be given a certificate with details about their production each year. The quantity of production of each grower would also be assessed periodically to check all kinds of malpractises in this regard, he said.
"A detailed plan in this regard has been framed and series of discussions with farmers and stakeholders has been convened for effective implementation of the scheme," he said.

Further details of the scheme would be finalised at a meeting here tomorrow, he said.

"There was a time when rubber price crossed Rs 250 mark. But it plunged to below Rs 100 later," Chandy said, adding that the state was yet to receive a reply from the Centre on its demand for regulating rubber import.
Kerala accounts for more than 90 per cent of the total rubber production in the country. The total area under rubber cultivation in the state is 5.45 lakh hectares. Over 11.50 lakh farmers are engaged in cultivation of the commodity.