By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: As part of the ongoing PIB media tour to Kerala, a media delegation from Odisha, led by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar, today visited the Rubber Board headquarters at Kottayam to gain first-hand insights into India’s natural rubber sector, recent technological innovations and region-specific development initiatives.
An introductory and interactive session was held with senior officials of the Rubber Board, including Shri M. Vasanthagesan, IRS, Executive Director; Smt. Priya Varma, Director (Training); Shri B. Sreekumar, Deputy Director (Publicity & Public Relations); and Shri Anilkumar V., Deputy Director (Training).
Briefing the delegation, Shri M. Vasanthagesan, highlighted the strategic importance of natural rubber in India’s industrial ecosystem. He informed that over 65 percent of domestic natural rubber consumption is utilised by the tyre industry, while the remaining 35 percent supports non-tyre sectors such as medical devices, footwear, consumer goods and industrial products. He emphasized the Rubber Board’s role in strengthening the entire value chain from cultivation and processing to marketing and skill development.
The Executive Director also outlined recent technological innovations being promoted by the Rubber Board, including drone-based spray technology for plantation management and the use of nano-oil applications to improve productivity and resource efficiency. These initiatives were presented as part of the Board’s broader efforts to modernize rubber cultivation, enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
Officials further highlighted that India is one of the major producers and consumers of natural rubber globally, with cultivation spread over about 9.39 lakh hectares. Natural rubber production in the country has shown a steady upward trend, reaching around 8.75 lakh tonnes in the year 2024-25, while domestic consumption exceeds 141 lakh tonnes, driven by strong demand from the tyre and allied industries. The downstream rubber sector has emerged as a major strength, with exports of rubber products valued at over ₹43,000 crore, reflecting significant value addition and industrial growth.
During the discussions, special emphasis was laid on Odisha’s growing role in India’s rubber sector, particularly in non-traditional and tribal regions. Officials highlighted that Rubber Board interventions in Odisha through extension services, training programmes and plantation development are contributing significantly to livelihood generation, employment opportunities and socio-economic upliftment of rural and tribal communities.
Officials from PIB accompanying the delegation included Shri Manoj Kumar Jali, Deputy Director, PIB Bhubaneswar and Shri Swadhin Shakti Prasad, Media & Communication Officer.
