Rubber Board to launch INR Konnect platform amid Kerala tapper shortage

The Rubber Board has said its digital platform, ‘INR Konnect’, will be launched after completing security checks.

The platform is intended to connect rubber tappers with plantation owners seeking tapping personnel, according to N. Hari, chairman, Rubber Board.

Platform aimed at disrupted tapping operations

The initiative is aimed at ensuring the availability of skilled workers for plantations where tapping operations have been disrupted because of labour shortages, Mr. Hari said.

The shortage of skilled tappers has emerged as a major challenge for the rubber plantation sector.

By linking available tappers with plantation owners, the platform is expected to address the workforce gap that has affected tapping operations.

The Rubber Board has also launched special training programmes to encourage greater participation by women in rubber tapping and other plantation-related activities.

These programmes are designed to provide women with skills in tapping and estate management while creating employment opportunities in the sector, Mr. Hari said.

“Pro-women training programme aimed at ensuring women’s representation is being vigorously implemented by the Rubber Board,” he said.

“Over the past month, 1,256 women have undergone training under various programmes,” Mr. Hari said.

The board has also trained 980 rural women in northeast India in rubber tapping, estate management and related activities.

Training and internships

The National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT), which functions under the Rubber Board, conducts specialised programmes for women in latex harvesting technology and tapping skills.

The programmes are intended to encourage women to take up rubber tapping and help address the shortage of labour in the sector.

The Rubber Board has also provided internships to 92 students, Mr. Hari said.

The training and internship initiatives form part of the board’s broader response to the shortage of skilled workers in rubber plantations.

State urged to use subsidy funds

Separately, the Rubber Board has asked the State government to utilise funds earmarked for rubber subsidies under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme (RPIS) for the benefit of farmers.

The request comes as market prices have remained above the threshold for such assistance.

“Rubber prices have not fallen below the floor price of ₹250 per kg fixed by the State government,” Mr. Hari said.

He added that there were indications that prices could rise to around ₹300 per kg soon.

The board’s request links the use of the earmarked RPIS funds to the prevailing rubber price situation and the intended benefit for farmers.

Source: The Hindu