Kapil Chaudhary addresses media persons in Guwahati on Tuesday (photo - @PIB_Guwahati / X)

Guwahati, June 10: Assam is establishing itself as a significant contributor to India's rubber industry, with approximately 50,000 hectares dedicated to rubber cultivation and a notable share in the nation's natural rubber production.

During a press conference in Guwahati, M Vasanthagesan, the executive director of the Rubber Board, noted that Assam ranks third in natural rubber output, following Kerala and Tripura.

He emphasized that the state plays a crucial role in the growth of rubber farming in the Northeast, which now encompasses around 1.8 lakh hectares of rubber plantations.

“Our aim is not just to expand the cultivated area but also to enhance productivity to satisfy the increasing domestic demand for natural rubber,” Vasanthagesan stated.

He also discussed the INROAD Project, an initiative by the Rubber Board supported by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), aimed at increasing rubber plantations in the Northeast and West Bengal. With a goal of developing two lakh hectares from 2021 to 2026, over 1.79 lakh hectares have already been established, benefiting more than 2.07 lakh growers.

Kapil Chaudhary, joint secretary in the Department of Commerce, Government of India, expressed optimism about the future of Assam's rubber sector. She highlighted the planting of the world's first genetically modified rubber plant, tailored for the Northeast's climate, as a significant achievement for the industry.

Chaudhary noted that rubber is gaining recognition as a vital plantation crop with export potential, alongside tea. She mentioned that enhanced market access through India's Free Trade Agreements and government-supported export initiatives could further elevate the industry's prospects.

These agreements are facilitating Indian businesses in tapping into new global markets and enhancing the country's export competitiveness. Key sectors benefiting from these trade agreements include agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and plantation products.

Chaudhary also addressed the topic “FTAs and New Opportunities with Special Focus on Plantation and Forest Products,” underlining the advantages of India's Free Trade Agreements and the new opportunities they create for exporters, producers, and stakeholders in the plantation and forest products sectors.

She revealed that India's total export value reached $3 billion in 2025-26, a significant increase from $8 billion in 2014-15, reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 5.7 percent. Chaudhary highlighted how advancements in digital trade infrastructure, including platforms like Trade Connect and the Trade Intelligence & Analytics (TIA) portal, along with a robust grievance redressal system and overall improvements in the Ease of Doing Business, have supported traders and exporters across the nation.