Overview:
The state has set a target of developing 26,000 hectares under INROAD, a project aimed at expanding rubber plantations across 2 lakh hectares in the Northeast
Shillong: Meghalaya has emerged as one of the Northeast’s major rubber-growing states, with 23,106.89 hectares brought under rubber plantation between 2021 and 2025 through the Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) project, officials of the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) said.
The state has set a target of developing 26,000 hectares under INROAD, a project aimed at expanding rubber plantations across 2 lakh hectares in the Northeast with financial support from major tyre companies and the supply of quality planting material.
The figures were shared during an interaction between a media delegation from Meghalaya and Sikkim and RRII officials in Kerala as part of a press tour organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). M. Vasanthgesan, IRS, Executive Director, RRII, led the interaction. Dr Debabrata Rai, Director (Research), Dr Siju T, Rubber Production Commissioner, and Priya Varma, Director (Training), were also present.
According to the RRII, Meghalaya’s rubber cultivation has expanded from around 10,000 hectares more than a decade ago to approximately 33,000 hectares currently, reflecting growing interest among farmers in rubber as a long-term plantation crop.
Under INROAD, Meghalaya recorded its highest annual plantation coverage in 2024, at 7,534.03 hectares, followed by 6,832.47 hectares in 2025. The state recorded 6,403.14 hectares in 2023, 2,044.71 hectares in 2022 and 292.54 hectares in 2021.
Across the Northeast, the project has so far covered 1,79,376.25 hectares against its target of 2 lakh hectares. Tripura accounts for the largest area at 69,762.21 hectares, followed by Assam at 50,238.01 hectares and Meghalaya at 23,106.89 hectares.
Officials said the Rubber Board supports growers in Meghalaya through its Regional Office at Tura and eight field stations across the state, particularly in the Garo Hills. The network provides technical assistance on plantation development and management.
The RRII also highlighted the long-term income potential of rubber, with mature trees capable of producing latex for several decades. Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) provide growers with collective access to technical assistance, infrastructure and processing facilities. There are around 2,600 RPSs across India, including more than 300 in the Northeast, officials said.
In Meghalaya, efforts are also underway to revive poorly managed plantations. Officials said around 2,000 to 3,000 hectares were found to be either untapped or inadequately managed, affecting productivity. Interventions have since focused on bringing these plantations back under systematic management.
Value addition is another area being developed. Two Group Processing Centres (GPCs) were established last year under Green Hill RPS and Laurel Hills RPS in the Mendipathar area. The centres allow growers to collectively process latex into rubber sheets, enabling processing closer to the point of production and potentially improving returns over the sale of raw latex.
Officials also briefed the delegation on the rubber dealer network across the Northeast, which provides established marketing channels for growers. While Sikkim has little significant rubber cultivation, its media representatives were briefed on opportunities for downstream processing and value addition across the region.
The Rubber Research Station in Meghalaya also conducts research and provides technical guidance suited to the state’s agro-climatic conditions.
The interaction highlighted Meghalaya’s expanding rubber footprint while underscoring the need to strengthen plantation management, processing and value addition so that the growth of rubber cultivation translates into higher and more sustainable returns for growers.
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