Thiruvananthapuram, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a move aimed at tackling Kerala's chronic shortage of skilled rubber tappers while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women, the state government has decided to train members of the Kudumbashree mission as rubber tappers and plantation managers, with plans to expand the initiative across major rubber-growing districts.
The project, being implemented in association with Kerala Rubber Limited, comes at a time when the rubber sector is facing an acute shortage of skilled tappers.
While migrant workers have filled vacancies in almost every other sector in Kerala, rubber tapping has largely remained outside their fold because of the specialised skills it demands.
The result has been thousands of acres of plantations remaining either underutilised or poorly maintained.
The initiative seeks to convert this challenge into an opportunity by equipping women with scientific training in rubber tapping and plantation management, creating a skilled local workforce while providing them with a steady source of livelihood.
The programme, which was piloted in Melukavu panchayat in Kottayam district, will now be expanded to Community Development Societies (CDSs) in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta, with plans to extend it to other rubber-growing districts.
At present, women in Kottayam are part of the project, with many more expected to join as the scheme expands. Under the programme, Kudumbashree CDSs will function as professional plantation management agencies.
On request from plantation owners, they will undertake the entire management of rubber estates from planting and maintenance to tapping, processing and marketing. Plantation owners will receive an agreed share of the annual income, while the women involved will earn regular wages and develop specialised skills.
The Rubber Board, Rubber Producers' Societies and Kerala Rubber Limited will provide technical training, toolkits and financial support for the programme.
The expansion also comes close on the heels of the V.D. Satheesan government's decision to raise the minimum support price for natural rubber from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg, fulfilling a key promise made in the UDF election manifesto.
The higher support price, coupled with a larger pool of trained tappers, is expected to improve the viability of rubber cultivation and encourage growers to bring neglected plantations back into production.
Officials believe the initiative will not only ease the labour crisis in Kerala's rubber sector but also create long-term employment for women in rural areas, where rubber cultivation can provide a dependable source of income for decades.
Source: IANS
About Gopi
Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.
He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.
When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.
He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz