What is Natural rubber?

About Natural Rubber:

• Natural rubber is a polymer made up of a chemical molecule called isoprene.
• It is a native of the Amazon basin, which was introduced to countries in the tropical belts of Asia and Africa in the late nineteenth century.
• Climatic conditions required for Rubber cultivation
  • Rubber trees require moist and humid climates with heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm.
  • It grows well in equatorial climates and temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.
  • Soil: Well-drained, weathered soils.

Rubber plantation in India

• India is the third largest producer, the fourth largest consumer of natural rubber and the fifth largest consumer of natural rubber and synthetic rubber together in the world.
• Rubber Growing Areas in India
  • Traditional Areas: Primarily in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari District and Kerala.
  • Non-traditional regions: Coastal Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra’s Konkan Region, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, the northeastern provinces, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, among other places.

Key facts about Rubber Board

• It is a statutory organisation constituted under the Rubber Act, 1947.
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Functions:
  • It is responsible for the development of the rubber industry in the country by assisting and encouraging research, development, extension and training activities related to rubber.
  • It also maintains statistical data of rubber, takes steps to promote the marketing of rubber and undertakes labour welfare activities.
• Composition
  • The Board is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.
  • It has 28 members representing various interests in the natural rubber industry.
• Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala.