Tripura Tribal Welfare Department receives SKOCH Silver Award for implementing the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, which has expanded rubber cultivation to 69,944.45 hectares and benefited 89,895 beneficiaries while promoting livelihoods, processing, value addition and economic opportunities.
The Tripura government’s Tribal Welfare Department has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award in recognition of the successful implementation of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission Project, a major initiative aimed at creating sustainable livelihood and income opportunities for tribal and marginalised communities across the state.
Launched on August 14, 2021, the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission was designed to promote rubber cultivation as a long-term source of livelihood and economic security, particularly for communities dependent on agriculture and other rural activities. Since its launch, the project has focused not only on expanding rubber plantations but also on strengthening the capacity of farmers through training, skill development, processing and value-addition initiatives.
The initial target under the mission was to bring 30,000 hectares of land under rubber cultivation. However, the response to the project led the government to substantially increase the target to 69,000 hectares. According to a government press release, the mission has so far brought 69,944.45 hectares of land under rubber cultivation, benefiting 89,895 beneficiaries.
The achievement reflects the scale of the state’s efforts to expand rubber-based economic activities and provide sustainable income opportunities to rural households. The project has also placed emphasis on improving the quality of rubber products so that farmers can obtain better market value for their produce.
As part of these efforts, initiatives have been undertaken to establish 46 large smoke houses and 25 integrated rubber processing centres. These facilities are expected to support better processing of rubber sheets while creating greater scope for value addition and improving the commercial potential of rubber produced in the state.
The implementation of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission involves coordination among several government departments, agencies and institutions. The Tribal Welfare Department, NABARD, Rubber Board, ATMA, MGNREGA, TFDPC Limited, TRPC Limited, TRP&PTG and TTAADC are working together to support various aspects of the programme.
The recognition through the SKOCH Silver Award highlights the initiatives undertaken under the mission to strengthen long-term livelihoods, promote financial self-reliance and expand rubber-based economic activities among Tripura’s tribal and marginalised communities.
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The award also marks a significant recognition of the coordinated efforts to develop rubber cultivation beyond primary production by encouraging farmer training, improved processing infrastructure and value addition. With thousands of beneficiaries already covered, the mission continues to remain an important component of Tripura’s efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods through rubber cultivation.
