Williamnagar, June 4: In a major push to strengthen rubber cultivation in Meghalaya, the Garo Hills Rubber Producers’ Society (GHRPS) on Wednesday inaugurated a Group Processing Centre at Kawak in Mendipathar, a facility expected to improve rubber quality, boost farmer earnings, and strengthen market access for growers across the region.

The centre was inaugurated by M. Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board of India, in the presence of Rubber Production Commissioner Dr Siju T., Joint Director (Production and Quality Control) P. Arumugam, senior Rubber Board officials, local stakeholders and rubber growers.

Officials said the facility would help small and scattered rubber growers process latex collectively, ensuring uniform quality standards and reducing individual processing costs.

Speaking at the event, Vasanthagesan described the centre as a major boost for the farming community and said it could encourage more farmers in the region to take up rubber cultivation.

“Every step in rubber cultivation is important,” he said, stressing the need for scientific tapping, proper latex collection, sheet formation and better marketing practices to improve both productivity and the productive life of rubber trees.

He added that the Rubber Board would continue supporting growers through technical guidance, training and infrastructure development initiatives.

Speaking exclusively to Hub News, P. Arumugam said natural rubber is currently witnessing strong demand in India, with nearly 80 per cent of the country’s production being consumed by tyre manufacturing industries.

“The Rubber Board is providing financial assistance, technical support and marketing assistance to rubber growers,” he said.

Arumugam said the newly inaugurated facility would particularly benefit farmers in Garo Hills, where rubber plantations are spread across different and often remote locations.

“This common processing centre will help farmers produce high-quality rubber sheets in larger quantities while maintaining uniform standards,” he said.

According to him, bringing scattered growers under one processing umbrella would improve the efficiency, productivity and marketability of rubber produced in the region while enhancing farmer livelihoods.

The other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Rubber Production Commissioner, Rubber Board of India, Dr Siju T, Joint Director, Rubber Board of India P. Arumugam, Assistant Quality Control Officer, Rubber Board of India Biju M.N, Deputy Rubber Production Commissioner, Rubber Board of India, Regional Office Tura Dwijendra Nath Boro and Fr. Dr. Robin of Pietne Agro Foundation. They highlighted the importance of collective processing facilities in improving product quality, ensuring better prices for growers, and promoting sustainable development of the rubber industry in Meghalaya.

Welcoming the gathering, GHRPS president M. Ch. Marak said the inauguration marked an important milestone for rubber growers in Garo Hills and reflected efforts to improve productivity, quality standards and sustainable livelihoods.

He thanked the Rubber Board of India for its continued support and said the common processing facility would help growers reduce costs while ensuring better quality control.

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