Aizawl, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalduhoma, expressed on Thursday that rubber may serve as a key agricultural product enabling the state to carve out a unique identity.

While speaking at a training session focused on rubber cultivation, he highlighted the launch of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, which aims to position Mizoram as a significant hub for rubber production.

This initiative, initiated on October 18, 2024, was developed following comprehensive discussions with the Rubber Board of India and a review of the Tripura Rubber Mission, ensuring a methodical and well-structured strategy, he noted.

According to Lalduhoma, the progress achieved under this Mission has exceeded initial projections, mainly due to the enthusiastic participation of farmers eager to engage in rubber cultivation, which he found to be remarkably promising.

Reiterating the government’s ongoing support, the Chief Minister encouraged farmers to invest their utmost effort, stressing that rubber farming necessitates adequate technical expertise and discipline. He motivated attendees to actively engage with the training program and assured them of the government's unwavering assistance.

Despite Mizoram attaining Union Territory status over fifty years ago, the Chief Minister remarked that the state had yet to cultivate a crop that could significantly define its identity, despite the people's relentless efforts.

He added that once the people's government took charge and implemented targeted initiatives, Mizoram was quickly recognized as the Ginger Capital of India by NITI Aayog.

Furthermore, he mentioned that passion fruit also shows considerable potential and ranks among the state’s most promising crops.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled a handbook on rubber plantation management. The training program features experts from the Rubber Board of India and Servo Lubricants (IOCL), who will instruct approximately 550 rubber growers on scientific cultivation methods, tapping techniques, processing of rubber sheets, post-harvest management, and pest control.

State government officials indicated that Mizoram boasts around 50,000 hectares of land suitable for rubber farming.

Rubber is a robust crop that not only aids in afforestation and water conservation but also offers good market value, and its timber can be utilized for furniture and various other applications after its economic life.

Given these benefits, the Mizoram government has prioritized the promotion of rubber cultivation.

Under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, the Land Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Department commenced implementation in early 2025 and has already planted 450,000 rubber saplings over 1,000 hectares in the Mamit and Kolasib districts.

In 2026, the department plans to plant 1,158,750 rubber saplings across 2,575 hectares in various districts.

The Mission is designed for a span of five years, with a target to cover 11,500 hectares for rubber cultivation. Infrastructure enhancements under the Mission include building access roads to plantations, providing rubber roller machines and tapping tools, and facilitating marketing arrangements.

This year, plans are in place to construct approach roads totaling 46.5 kilometers for rubber plantations at eleven different locations.

Present at this significant event were Lalthansanga, Minister for Land Resources, Soil and Water Conservation, and K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Adviser to the Chief Minister.

A representative from the Land Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Department mentioned that similar training programs titled “Farmers’ Training on Scientific Rubber Cultivation, Harvesting Techniques, Post-Harvest Handling, and Pest Management” will be held shortly in the Lunglei, Hnahthial, Lawngtlai, and Siaha districts.