Launched in FY 2021–22, the INROAD Project helped in creation of 1,79,376 hectares of new NR plantations across 113 districts in the North Eastern region of India over the last five years and is expected to complete 200,000 hectares of new plantations originally targeted. This represents the highest natural rubber plantation expansion in the country within such a short span.
INROAD is a first-of-its-kind global initiative, wherein the Indian tyre industry is contributing directly to the development of rubber plantations. The project is financed by four major tyre companies — Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre and MRF and is implemented by the Rubber Board of India.
“Despite several operational challenges including Covid-induced disruptions in the beginning, nearly 90% of the ambitious target of 2 lakh hectares of new plantation has been achieved under Project INROAD during the last five years. Beyond plantation expansion, the project has also made significant progress in strengthening local nurseries and building grower capacities — a testament to the collaborative efforts of the tyre industry and the Rubber Board,” said Mohan Kurian, Chairman, INROAD Project, on the completion of five years of the initiative.
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Over this period, a record 8.3 crore quality planting material has been distributed. INROAD could reach out to resource-constrained populations in the designated states, with special focus on engaging with small and marginal farmers mostly with landholdings of less than one hectare. The project has benefited over 2 lakh beneficiaries so far with improved livelihoods and socio-economic development.
One of the most notable impacts of INROAD has been the rejuvenation of nursery infrastructure in the region. More than 200 nurseries are currently supplying high-yielding planting material to growers. New and improved rubber clones that are better suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the North East are being distributed through these nurseries under the INROAD initiative.Also read | Maharashtra govt to waive Rs 48,000 crore pending farm power dues: Devendra Fadnavis
“With plantations reaching a critical stage, the next component of the project — development of supporting infrastructure such as model smokehouses and dissemination of improved practices among rubber growers — is progressing well under the INROAD Skilling and Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive (iSPEED) initiative,” Kurian added.
The infrastructure development being undertaken through iSPEED is expected to create significant value addition for farmers by improving the quality of rubber produced at the source. A large-scale educational and training drive is also being planned under iSPEED through a combination of digital and contact training programmes. New training materials developed under the initiative are now ready for release to support this effort.