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Sajeev Kumar V.

Kochi , Dec. 23

A FRAMEWORK for development of the rubber sector in Kerala was adopted in the recently concluded two-day conference on Resurgent Natural Rubber organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The session on four identified topics critical to achieving the broader objectives saw participation of a wide spectrum of experts, specialists and stakeholders. The topics for group discussion were cost-effectiveness, quality improvement in processing, strategies for domestic and international markets and taxation issues and concerns.

A CII official said here that each of the topics had certain common points of interest. The impact of globalisation was viewed as a major threat in the long term if appropriate policies are not evolved and action plan initiated.

Taking into consideration the discussion, suggestions and strategies on the four topics and the recommendation on each of them , it was felt necessary to have two task forces. The issues regarding taxation had to be handled by another panel. The task force would be constituted soon and it would work out an action plan and implementation strategy for various groups identified after fixing a time-frame.

With regard to cost-competitiveness, speakers were of the view that Indian natural rubber is facing constraints of a slightly unfavourable agro-climatic conditions vis-a-vis its competitors, necessitating adoption of better management techniques. As the sector is dominated by small and marginal farmers, socio economic profile of the various strata of plantations such as large, medium, small and marginal has to be analysed and appropriate policy evolved enabling them to achieve cost competitiveness.

While the large plantations are equipped with information, there is a large gap in adoption of technology and investment in enhancing land productivity. This has to be addressed and investment for human resources development needed to be augmented. Measures to encourage investment such as exemption from IT had to be explored, they said.

The group dominated by traders listed out various weakness of the production/processing sector and the constraints in the domestic as well as international markets. The major point identified was dominance of RSS. Regarding block rubber, lack of consistency and poor quality also came up for discussion. The trade of rubber can be made smooth by rationalisaton of tax structure and by simplification of procedures particularly in documentation.

Regarding quality improvement in processing, the group reported that quality of rubber wood processing is generally good with reference to RSS. However, some defects were pointed out which can be easily rectified with appropriate awareness and training. Most of the defects have been in handling and this is since bulk of the processing is doe in individual holdings.

Major constraint to improve in quality has been pointed out as the absence of a steady market for good quality sheets, where growers do not have the opportunity to sell rubber according to grades. The general consensus was group processing with appropriate investment need to be augmented.

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