Dimapur: Nagaland governor, Nand Kishore Yadav held a review meeting with officials of the Rubber Board Regional Office, Dimapur at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, on September 2, 2026.
During the meeting, the Governor reviewed the progress and initiatives undertaken by the Rubber Board for the development and expansion of rubber cultivation in the State. Officials presented an overview of the status of plantations, production, infrastructure development, farmer training and welfare initiatives.
As of March 31, 2026, Nagaland recorded a total rubber planted area of 29,794.39 hectares, comprising 11,977.71 hectares of mature plantations and 17,816.68 hectares of immature plantations. The State’s total production stood at 13,617.21 MT, with a productivity of 1,166.03 kg per hectare.
Key initiatives reviewed included the INROAD Project, Group Processing Centres (GPCs), Farmer Education and Training programmes, Tappers’ Intensive Skill Improvement Programme (TISP), skill development initiatives and disease intervention measures.
Under the INROAD Project (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development), efforts are being made to promote large scale plantation development and strengthen the rubber ecosystem in the Northeast, with emphasis on sustainable expansion and livelihood improvement for growers.
The Governor was apprised of the establishment of Group Processing Centres to facilitate collective processing, improve the quality of rubber sheets and reduce costs for individual growers. Capacity building through on field training, practical demonstrations, awareness programmes and exposure visits was also highlighted.
To address the shortage of skilled tappers, the Rubber Board has intensified efforts through the Tatppers’ Intensive Skill Improvement Programme, providing hands on training in scientific tapping practices.
Officials further informed that drone technology has been deployed to combat Abnormal Leaf Fall disease, with drone based spraying of Copper Oxychloride undertaken across selected areas of Wokha, Peren and Niuland, covering 171.15 hectares.
The meeting also deliberated on challenges confronting the sector, including poor rural road connectivity, shortage of skilled tappers, dependence on outside labour, inadequate marketing channels and damage to plantations caused by wildlife.
Future plans of the Rubber Board include continuation of farmer education and training programmes, expansion of skill development initiatives, establishment of additional GPCs and close coordination with the Department of Land Resources, Government of Nagaland. Further expansion of activities is also being planned under INROAD 2.0.
