Industry-backed initiative accelerates natural rubber cultivation across Northeast India and West Bengal, strengthening domestic rubber production and supporting smallholder farmers.
Project INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) has achieved a major milestone by establishing 1,79,376 hectares of new natural rubber plantations across Northeast India and West Bengal, bringing the initiative close to its target of 2 lakh hectares. Launched in 2021, the project represents the largest expansion of natural rubber cultivation in India within such a short period.
The initiative is funded by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) and implemented by the Rubber Board of India, with support from leading tyre manufacturers including Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF. The project aims to strengthen India’s domestic natural rubber supply while reducing dependence on imports for the tyre manufacturing industry.
Since its inception, Project INROAD has benefited more than 2.07 lakh growers across 113 districts in the Northeast and West Bengal. The programme focuses on expanding rubber plantations, improving productivity, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers through financial assistance, technical guidance, and quality planting materials.
The project has also helped scale regional infrastructure by establishing nurseries and distributing high-yielding rubber clones suited to local climatic conditions. Alongside plantation development, INROAD promotes better cultivation practices, training, and skill development to improve long-term productivity and quality across the natural rubber value chain.
Officials expect the expansion to significantly increase natural rubber production in the Northeast, where cultivation now covers around 1.8 lakh hectares, including nearly 50,000 hectares in Assam. The initiative is projected to substantially raise the region’s contribution to India’s overall rubber production while supporting rural employment and economic development.
As Project INROAD approaches its final plantation target, it stands as a landmark public-private partnership linking the tyre industry with agricultural development. By expanding domestic rubber cultivation and strengthening the supply chain, the initiative is expected to enhance raw material security for India’s tyre sector while promoting sustainable growth in the natural rubber industry.