Kerala BJP leader takes charge of the country’s apex rubber sector body as government focuses on strengthening the industry
The Central Government has appointed BJP leader N Hari as the new Chairman of the Rubber Board, a key statutory body responsible for the development and promotion of India’s rubber sector. The appointment, made by the Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will be for a period of three years.
N Hari, who currently serves as the BJP’s Central Zone President in Kerala, brings experience in both politics and the rubber industry to the position. A native of Pallikkathode in Kottayam district, he has been associated with the Rubber Board for the past two years as a board member and has been actively involved in issues concerning rubber growers and the industry.
The Rubber Board, headquartered in Kottayam, Kerala, plays a crucial role in supporting natural rubber cultivation, research, extension services, quality improvement, and market development across the country. The organization works closely with farmers, processors, exporters, and industry stakeholders to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of India’s rubber sector.
Hari is a former president of the BJP’s Kottayam district unit and has contested Assembly elections on behalf of the party. His appointment is expected to strengthen the Board’s engagement with rubber-growing communities, particularly in Kerala, which accounts for a significant share of India’s natural rubber production.
The leadership change comes at a time when the Indian rubber industry is focusing on improving productivity, expanding cultivation in non-traditional regions, and addressing challenges related to imports, price fluctuations, and farmer welfare. Industry stakeholders will be looking to the new chairman to support policies that enhance domestic production and improve the livelihoods of rubber growers.
With a three-year tenure ahead, N Hari is expected to guide the Rubber Board’s initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth in India’s rubber ecosystem while strengthening support for the country’s millions of rubber farmers.