The Tripura government’s Tribal Welfare Department has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Award – Silverin recognition of the successful implementation of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, aimed at creating sustainable livelihood and income opportunities for tribal and marginalised communities through rubber cultivation.
Launched on August 14, 2021, the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission initially targeted the expansion of rubber cultivation across 30,000 hectares. Following a strong response to the initiative, the target was subsequently increased to 69,000 hectares.
According to a statement issued by the Tribal Welfare Department, rubber cultivation has so far been brought under 69,944.45 hectares, benefiting 89,895 people across the state.
Besides expanding rubber cultivation, the mission focuses on farmer training, capacity building, processing and value addition to improve the quality and market value of rubber sheets. As part of these efforts, initiatives have been taken to establish 46 large smoke houses and 25 integrated rubber processing centres.
The department said these facilities are expected to strengthen rubber processing and create greater opportunities for value addition, thereby enhancing the economic returns of rubber cultivation.
The mission is being implemented through coordinated efforts involving the Tribal Welfare Department, NABARD, Rubber Board, ATMA, MGNREGA, TFDPC Ltd, TRPC Ltd, TRP&PTG and TTAADC, among other agencies.
The department said the SKOCH Silver Award is an important recognition of the initiatives undertaken in Tripura to promote long-term livelihoods, financial self-reliance and rubber-based economic activities among tribal and marginalised communities.
