Top 10 Rubber Producing States in India

The rubber-producing states in India contribute to 5.3% of the global natural rubber market. India’s rubber production in 2022-23 climbed from 775,000 tons in 2021-22 to 839,000 tonnes. In 2022-23, India’s rubber consumption rose from 1,238,000 tonnes in 2021-22 to 1,350,000 tonnes.

In this article, we will discuss the list of top 10 rubber-producing states in India.

List of Top 10 Rubber Producing States in India

The below table lists the top 10 rubber-producing states in India along with their contribution:

State	Production of Natural Rubber (Tonnes)
Kerala	490460
Tripura	53050
Karnataka	38200
Assam	24300
Tamil Nadu	21500
Meghalaya	9100
Nagaland	4930
Manipur	1850
Mizoram	750
Goa	625

10. Goa

Rubber cultivation in Goa began in the early 1900s. The state’s climate and soil are ideal for growing rubber trees. The trees need a lot of sunlight, rain, and humidity. Goa has all of these things.

• The rubber industry in Goa is an important part of the state’s economy. The industry employs thousands of people and generates millions of dollars in revenue each year.
• The rubber trees in Goa are tapped for latex. Latex is a milky white liquid that is used to make rubber. The latex is collected from the trees and then processed into rubber.
• The rubber industry in Goa is facing some challenges. One challenge is the price of rubber. The price of rubber has been fluctuating in recent years. This has made it difficult for rubber growers to make a profit.
• Another challenge is the competition from synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber is a man-made material that is used to make some of the same products as natural rubber.

9. Mizoram

Mizoram is one of the states in India that is suitable for rubber plantation. The state has about 5,75,000 hectares of land that can be used for rubber cultivation, out of which only 50 hectares have been used so far.

• The Soil and Water Conservation department is taking initiatives to increase the area under rubber cultivation in the state.
• The recommended clones for rubber cultivation in Mizoram are RRIM 600, RRII-105, and GT1.
• The trees are planted in polybags and then transplanted to the field. The spacing between the trees should be 9 meters by 9 meters.
• Rubber cultivation is a profitable venture for farmers in Mizoram. The price of rubber has been increasing steadily in recent years, and there is a good demand for rubber products in the global market.

8. Manipur

Rubber plantations are found in Jiribam, Imphal East District of Manipur.

• Rubber cultivation is suited to tropical climates with annual rainfall between 2,000–4,500 mm.
• Minimum and maximum temperature should be ranged from 25 to 34°C with 80 % relative humidity is ideal for cultivation in Manipur.
• It requires deep and lateritic fertile soil with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 6.0 and highly deficient in available phosphorus, literate or loamy soil.
• Rubber plants can be successfully grown up to the elevation of 450 metre from mean sea level.

7. Nagaland

As of 2021, the total area of rubber plantation in Nagaland is 19,132.5 hectares.

• Rubber cultivation is a relatively new practice in Nagaland, having been introduced as a cash crop in Wokha in 2000. However, the state has great potential for large-scale rubber production.
• Rubber cultivation has improved the economic condition of rural farmers in Nagaland. In 2019-20, rubber production increased from 4,820 tonnes to 4930 tonnes.
• The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has decided to invest Rs 1,100 crore to undertake rubber plantation in an additional 2,00,000 hectares of land in Northeast India in a span of 5 years.
• The remaining 14,100 hectares of rubber plantation have attained maturity, creating the need for approximately 6.378 numbers of rubber sheet rollers.

6. Meghalaya

The Government of India introduced rubber cultivation in Meghalaya in 1970 to meet the domestic demand for rubber and to help the tribal farmers.

• Rubber is grown in loamy soil, mostly on slopes, undulating land, or flat land where there is no water stagnation and good drainage.
• Meghalaya has 3,750 rubber smallholders with an average holding size of 0.56 hectares. The total area under rubber cultivation in Meghalaya is 4,635 hectares.
• Rubber plants can be successfully grown up to an elevation of 450 meters from mean sea level.
• The Rubber Board (Government of India) has issued a proclamation authorizing the expansion of rubber plantations in Meghalaya.

5. Tamil Nadu

The Kanyakumari district is the only region where rubber can be grown in Tamil Nadu. In fact, the district has the best agro-climatic conditions in India to cultivate this crop.

• The climate in the Kanyakumari district is suitable for rubber cultivation because it is located within 10 degrees of latitude on either side of the equator.
• This region also has a well-distributed rainfall of 200-250 cm over the year and a temperature ranging from 20-30 degrees Celsius.
• Rubber trees are typically planted in rows and spaced 6-8 meters apart. They are tapped for latex when they are 6-7 years old. The latex is collected by making a cut in the bark of the tree and allowing the latex to flow into a cup. The latex is then processed into rubber.
• Rubber cultivation is an important source of income for many farmers in the Kanyakumari district.

4. Assam

Rubber cultivation in Assam is an important part of the state’s economy. Rubber is a versatile material that is used in a variety of products, including tires, hoses, and belts.

• The world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant was recently planted in Assam.
• The plant was developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India, and it is expected to grow well in the climatic conditions of the state.
• Assam produced 24300 tonnes of rubber, which accounted for 4.26% of India’s total rubber production.
• Rubber cultivation in Assam is facing a number of challenges. One challenge is the lack of skilled labor. Another challenge is the high cost of rubber seeds and fertilizers. The government is working to address these challenges.

3. Karnataka

Karnataka produces 38200 metric tons of rubber annually, contributing significantly to India’s overall rubber output.

• The total area under rubber cultivation in Karnataka spans 28,830 hectares, indicating the scale of rubber farming in the state.
• Rubber is an important cash crop in Karnataka. It is grown in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikmagaluru, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Hassan and Mysuru.
• The best conditions for rubber growth are deep well drained loamy soils on the hill slopes at elevation ranging from 300 to 450 metres above sea level.
• Rubber cultivation is an important source of income for farmers in Karnataka. The government of Karnataka is taking a number of steps to promote rubber cultivation in the state.

2. Tripura

The second-largest rubber producer in India is Tripura, which is situated in northeastern India. The Northeast states have experienced an increase in their production of rubber between 2017–18 and 2019–20.

• The proportion of Tripura’s rubber production in India rose from 7.27% to 8.70% during 2017–18 and 2019–20.
• The agro-climatic conditions of Tripura are good for rubber cultivation, as they include sufficient rainfall and suitable soil.
• The state government has established in place several programs and initiatives to encourage the production of rubber, offering growers infrastructure development, technical assistance, and subsidies.
• Rubber plantations have been steadily expanding throughout Tripura as more farmers choose to cultivate rubber since it is more durable and profitable than other crops.

1. Kerala

About 74% of India’s rubber is produced in Kerala. In Kerala, the production of natural rubber has decreased between 2017 and 20.

• Kerala produced 5.40 lakh tonnes of natural rubber in 2017–18, but by 2019–20, that amount had dropped to 5.33 lakh tonnes.
• The tropical climate of Kerala, which is characterized by frequent rainfall and high humidity, is ideal for growing rubber.
• Kerala has a long history of growing rubber and acquired knowledge of rubber farming methods over the decades.
• For many people in Kerala, rubber farming is a major source of employment and income, and it makes an important economic contribution to the state.

Conclusion

India is the world’s fourth largest producer of natural rubber and the second most productive. The rubber industry is important for the Indian economy, providing employment and contributing to global trade. Kerala produces around 74% of India’s total rubber production. Other major rubber producing states include Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Meghalaya.

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FAQs on Top 10 Rubber Producing States in India

Which states are the top rubber producers in India?

Kerala, Tripura, and Karnataka are the top rubber-producing states in India.

What makes Kerala the largest rubber-producing state?

Kerala’s tropical climate and extensive plantations make it ideal for rubber cultivation.

How does Tamil Nadu contribute to India’s rubber production?

Tamil Nadu’s favorable agro-climatic conditions and widespread cultivation areas make it a significant rubber producer.

Why is Karnataka considered one of the top rubber-producing states?

Karnataka’s diverse agro-climatic conditions and increasing plantation areas contribute to its status as a major rubber producer.

What factors contribute to Assam’s rubber production?

Assam benefits from suitable climatic conditions and government support, leading to significant rubber cultivation.

Why is Tripura emerging as a notable rubber producer in India?

Tripura’s favourable climate, government initiatives, and increasing rubber plantations contribute to its growing rubber production.

How does Meghalaya contribute to India’s rubber industry?

Meghalaya’s suitable terrain and government support foster rubber cultivation, contributing to India’s overall rubber production.