New facility aims to improve rubber quality, reduce processing costs, and strengthen market access for growers across Meghalaya
In a significant step towards strengthening the rubber sector in Meghalaya, the Rubber Board of India has inaugurated a Group Processing Centre at Kawak in Mendipathar, East Garo Hills. Established by the Garo Hills Rubber Producers’ Society (GHRPS), the facility is expected to enhance rubber quality, improve farmer earnings, and provide better market access for rubber growers across the region.
The processing 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 farmers. The facility has been designed to help small and geographically dispersed growers process latex collectively, ensuring consistent quality standards while lowering individual processing expenses.
Speaking at the event, Vasanthagesan highlighted the importance of scientific cultivation practices, including proper tapping, latex collection, sheet formation, and marketing, to improve productivity and extend the productive lifespan of rubber plantations. He reaffirmed the Rubber Board’s commitment to supporting farmers through technical guidance, training programs, and infrastructure development initiatives.
According to P. Arumugam, India is currently witnessing strong demand for natural rubber, with a major share of domestic production being consumed by the tyre manufacturing industry. He noted that the Rubber Board continues to provide financial assistance, technical support, and marketing guidance to rubber growers across the country.
The newly inaugurated processing centre is expected to be particularly beneficial for growers in Garo Hills, where rubber plantations are spread across remote and scattered locations. By bringing farmers together under a common processing facility, the centre will enable the production of higher-quality rubber sheets in larger volumes while maintaining uniform standards, thereby improving the marketability and value of the region’s rubber output.
Industry leaders and stakeholders present at the inauguration emphasized that collective processing facilities play a crucial role in improving product quality, securing better prices for growers, and promoting the sustainable development of the rubber industry in Meghalaya. GHRPS President M. Ch. Marak described the inauguration as a major milestone for rubber farmers in Garo Hills and expressed confidence that the facility would contribute to higher productivity, improved quality control, and enhanced livelihoods for the farming community.