AGARTALA, Feb 10 (TIWN): Workshop on production and utilisation of rubber in the Tripura has been organized at Pragna Bhawan.

During the programme, Director of Industries and Commerce V. G Jenner, Chief Operating Officer IL and FS CDI of New Delhi Dr. A. K Krishnakumar, Principal Secretary of Industry and Commerce M. Nagaraju and others were also present.

At the programme, it has been mentioned that altogether eight new industrial units are under implementation with an investment of Rs. 43.12 crores with the total production capacity of more than 2600 MT/ month which will include product like HRLR thread, tyre, rubber gloves, ISNR and others and it is expected that altogether 348 employments will be generated.

Detailing about the present operating industry in the State, it has been that at present five industrial units are functioning at Bodhjungnagar Industrial Complex with an investment of Rs. 155.44 crores.

However, the total production capacity is 2570 MT/ month including products like HRLR thread, Natural rubber, ISNR and others and the total employment generation is around 482.

It has been mentioned that rubber was introduced in Tripura in 1963 by the Forest Department. Besides, the expansion if rubber cultivation in the state was assigned to Tripura Forest Development Plantation Corporation (TFDPC) in the year 1976.

Besides, laying special emphasis on the rehabilitation of the tribals in the State, Tripura Rehabilitation Plantation Corporation (TRPC) was established in the year 1983.

Detailing about the total area, it has been mentioned that altogether one lakh hectare has been identified for the rubber plantation by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land.

It has been mentioned that the total area under plantation was about 67, 730 hectares till March 31, 2015 with the potential to go up to 1, 00, 000 hectares. However, the rubber production was about 44, 740 MT during 2014-15 till March 31, 2015 with the value of Rs. 536.0 crores.

It has been mentioned that a rubber park has been set up at Bodhjungnagar over an area of about 60 acres of land. Besides, all the common facilities including Centralized Quality Control Laboratory, Training Centre, Tool Room, Centralized latex and Carbon Black Master batch unit, warehouse for raw material storage and others have been installed.