Rubber: The White Gold of Nagaland

Rubber, often called the “white gold” of the plantation world, is a crop that not only sustains livelihoods but also strengthens rural economies. Beyond its economic value, rubber farming conserves soil, reduces erosion, and enriches greenery. With proper care and management, a rubber plantation can conveniently and economically yield rewards for more than thirty years, subject to being scientifically managed.
However, proper care is very crucial, especially during the early stages, to ensure healthy growth and high productivity. In Nagaland, rubber cultivation has emerged as a major livelihood and land-use alternative, offering a sustainable option to traditional farming. The main rubber growing districts include parts of Wokha, Niuland, Mokokchung, Dimapur, Peren, Longleng, and Mon.
After care of rubber plantations in the immature phase:

1. Mulching, shading and whitewashing: After the cessation of rains, the soil around the plants should be mulched properly specially during the winter months so as to conserve moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Provide artificial shade for young plants during summer using plaited coconut leaves or gunny bags or any sustainable materials is another aftercare step. From the second year onwards, whitewashing of the lower stem with lime or china clay to prevent sun scorch is a very crucial step. This is to be continued until the canopy develops by the third or fourth year of planting.
2. Branch Induction: Rubber plants naturally produce branches. But these are to be regulated in that all side branches upto eight feet height should be invariably removed, so that we get a single bole or trunk for tapping. .If branching does not occur naturally or is delayed, induce lateral buds using leaf cap or leaf folding methods.Proper branching ensures a strong framework and higher yield potential.
3. Fire belts: In this season of burning of the jhum fields, extreme care is to taken to see that the fire do not spread to the rubber planted areas. Fire belts of five to seven metres wide are to be made all along plantation boundaries before summer. Remove all dry leaves, twigs, weeds etc regularly to prevent fire hazards during the dry season.
4. Intercropping during the immature phase: Soil in Nagaland is mostly fertile, and this leads to the growth of weeds very luxuriantly, if rubber planted areas are left fallow. So, it is recommended that suitable intercrops be cultivated in the inter row spaces in rubber, so that when we care for these, the weeds are also cleared and rubber plants grow up properly. Utilize the space between rubber rows in the early years for crops like banana, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, vegetables, and fodder crops. One can also go for intercropping with upland paddy during the first year of plantation. Maintain a minimum distance of at least 1-1.5 meters from the rubber plant base for intercrops. Avoid intercropping on steep slopes; instead, establish cover crops.
5. Cover Crops and Intercropping: Establish leguminous cover crops such as: Vigna mungo (Urad bean), Puerariaphaseoloides (Tropical kudzu), Mucunabracteata (East Himalayan Mucuna), Calopogonium mucunoides (Wild groundnut), and Centrosema pubescens (Butterfly pea) to enrich soil fertility, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds.
6. Disease Management: Rubber plants are highly susceptible to fungal diseases, particularly during the rainy season.The most common disease is Phytophthora shoot rot, which affects tender shoots and flushes, causing wilting and drooping of shoot tips. It is particularly severe in nurseries and young field plants. Protect young plants from Phytophthora shoot rot using 1% Bordeaux mixture (Copper sulphate: 1 kg Quick lime: 1 kg Water: 100 liters), or 0.125% copper oxy chloride applied before the monsoon and during dry breaks. Repeat the spray during dry intervals in the rainy season for effective protection. Regular monitoring and timely spraying prevent wilting and shoot damage.
7. Fertilization: Application of fertilizers may be done based on the plant requirement. Some common recommendations for immature plantations include: urea (N), rock phosphate (P), and muriate of potash (K) twice a year, before the onset of monsoon and after the monsoon rains. Organic manure or compost improves soil fertility and supports plant growth.
   In this season, most prospective rubber planters are busy in clearing the lands for planting of rubber during the ensuing planting season. In this context, it is felt that the following be kept in mind:
   Avoid steep lands for planting of rubber – as tapping in such areas can be laborious. Select only flat lands or areas with gentle slopes. Avoid areas prone to water logging, as will adversely affect rubber plants. After burning of the jhum fields, lining can be done. A spacing of 15 by 15 ft. or 16 by 16 ft in flat lands and a spacing of 20 by 10 ft or 22 by 11 ft. in slopy lands is the ideal spacing. In slopy lands, lining is to done along contour lines, using A frames – which can be made using locally available materials. Mark the planting points using a peg made of bamboo split. Pits of 2.5 ft cube are to be then made in the peg marked areas. Refill the pits with the top soil upto about five cms above the soil level and peg mark the centre of the pit. If this is done, planting can be done immediately on receipt of planting materials.
   Rubber cultivation in Nagaland is on the rise offering significant opportunities. To fully benefit from this “white gold”, the long term success hinges on meticulous care and proactive management. By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can ensure healthy growth, higher latex yields and soil conservation securing both economic and ecological benefits for the region. For further details, please visit our Regional Office in Dimapur of our Field Offices in Niuland and Sanis.
   Kuruvilla Cherian
   Dy. Rubber Production Commissioner
   Shanchobeni Ovung
   Imtimongla
   Medoze U Medoze
   Young Professionals