ISBN: - 978-93-88936-09-5 Rubber Board which is under the control of the government of India is having a regional office at Marthandam in Kanyakumari District and a rubber nursery near Kuzhithurai necessary extension and advisory services are rendered through the regional office for the benefit of rubber growers in Kanyakumari District with the object of increasing production and productivity of rubber and on the other hand to uplift their economic condition. The board implemented “Rubber plantation Department scheme” with a view to encourage new planting, replanting during the five year period from 1980-81 to 1984-85. The scheme has provided for the grant of materials, finance and technical assistance from the board and also long term loans from bank under the credit scheme of agricultural refinance and developed corporation to the rubber growers. The rubber plantation industry is operative both in private and government owned plantations. The private estates are owned and managed by individual entrepreneurs. The Government Rubber plantations in the district have been under the control of Tamil Nadu forest department till 30.09.1984. These were converted into a company called Arasu Rubber Corporation Ltd, Nagercoil.registered under the company’s act of 1956 on 10.08.1984. Nearly 1/3 of the total rubber production of the district is now made by this corporation. The rubber board has launched various incentive programmes to bring additional areas In Kanyakumari district factories are running in Nagercoil, Kulaseharam, Karodu, Ponmanai and Thuckalay produces clouse, slippers, balloons, rubber band etc., used rubber as raw mate Rubber is most important cash crops production made by India. The Kanyakumari district rubber grower’s co-operative marketing society in engaged in the marketing of rubber. During the year 1982-83 the society handled rubber to the extent of Rs.47.69 lakhs. The society also undertakes other service functions such as distribution of inputs and requisites like manures, formic acid, aluminium paws, rubber kates, tapping knives, digging forks etc. to its grower members. The best quality latex is produced in Kazhiyal and Kulasekharam rubber plantations in Kanyakumari district. Out of 91807 hectares of total crop area, rubber is cultivated in 19500 hectares. Nearly 24000 tonnes of natural rubber is produced per annum. There are 16 rubber estates with an area of more than 20 hectares 24 rubber estates with an area of 10 to 20 hectares and growing rubber in 6011 hectares and about 30250 small holdings in 13489 hectares.16Arasu Rubber Corporation cultivates rubber in 4280 hectares. There are thirty five Rubber Producers Societies in Kanyakumari district. They give training to the members, conduct seminars, supply planting materials and provide technical advices. The Rubber Board provides loans and subsidies to the growers through this RPS. There are fifteen SelfHelp-Groups engaged in rubber honey production and rubber nurseries. Moreover there are 250 registered rubber dealers in the district. Thus the district has all the factors favouring rubber 83
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