RUBBER PLANTATION: GEOGRAPHY
NEWS: Rubber Board to kick off
geo-mapping of plantations; growers hopeful of better prices
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The Rubber
Board is set to launch the geo-mapping of rubber plantations in Kerala next
week. This initiative is aimed at improving market access for growers and
helping them secure better prices for their produce.
Geo-Mapping of Rubber Plantations:
- The Rubber Board is undertaking the digital mapping
of rubber plantations to document essential details such as land
ownership, area, and plantation boundaries.
- This geo-mapping initiative is in alignment with the
European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates that all
commodities entering the EU market must be free from deforestation
post-December 31, 2020, and comply with local environmental regulations.
- The geo-mapping initiative includes supply chain
mapping, development of a traceability system, and geo-mapping of rubber
plantations. These measures are aimed at guaranteeing the origin of rubber
and ensuring compliance with international sustainability standards.
- A due diligence certificate will be issued based on
risk assessment and legality analysis. This certificate will help confirm
the sustainability of rubber products being sourced and exported.
Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) Certification:
- The iSNR framework offers free certification to
farmers and growers, ensuring their natural rubber meets sustainability
standards.
- The iSNR certification is a mandatory requirement
for rubber products to be marketed in compliance with the EUDR
regulations, ensuring they adhere to sustainability guidelines and
environmental standards.
- This certification aims to strengthen the global
market's trust in India's rubber products by ensuring sustainability in
their production.
About
Rubber:
- Rubber is a polymer of isoprene, an organic compound
obtained from the latex of the tropical tree Hevea Brasiliensis.
- The ideal soil type for rubber cultivation is
well-drained and well-weathered soils, such as laterite, alluvial, and
sedimentary type soils.
- Rubber trees require evenly distributed rainfall
with at least 100 rainy days, a temperature range of 20-34°C, and humidity
of around 80%. Additionally, rubber cultivation benefits from around 2000
hours of sunshine and an absence of strong winds.
- The world's major rubber producers are Thailand,
Indonesia, and Malaysia, while India ranks as the 3rd largest producer and
4th largest consumer of natural rubber globally. India imports
approximately 40% of its total rubber consumption.
- In India, Kerala is the primary rubber-producing
state, contributing about 75% of the country's total rubber production.
Other rubber-producing states include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Tripura,
Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Goa.
- The first rubber plantations in India were
established in 1895 on the hill slopes of Kerala, and commercial-scale
rubber cultivation began in 1902.
- Natural rubber is preferred over synthetic rubber
due to its superior tensile strength, vibration-dampening properties, and
tear resistance. These qualities make natural rubber crucial for
industries like construction and automobile manufacturing.
Rubber
Board:
- The Rubber Board was established in 1955 with its
headquarters in Kottayam, Kerala.
- The board operates under the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry and is responsible for the development and regulation of the
rubber industry in India.
- The Rubber Research Institute (RRI) is also a part
of the Rubber Board, focusing on research and innovation in the rubber
industry to improve production, sustainability, and quality.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rubber-board-to-kick-off-geo-mapping-of-plantations-growers-hopeful-of-better-prices/article69306390.ece