Kerela, Sep 10: Meghalaya has emerged as one of the major rubber-growing states in the Northeast with 23,106.89 hectares planted under the Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development (INROAD) project between 2021 and 2025.
The figures were shared by Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) officials during an interaction with a media delegation from Meghalaya and Sikkim organised by PIB. RRII Executive Director M. Vasanthgesan, Director (Research) Dr Debabrata Rai, Rubber Production Commissioner Dr Siju T and Director (Training) Priya Varma were present.
Meghalaya has a target of 26,000 ha under the project, which aims to develop 2 lakh ha across the Northeast with support from tyre companies.
According to RRII, area under rubber in Meghalaya has grown from around 10,000 ha a decade ago to about 33,000 ha at present.
The state recorded the highest annual coverage in 2024 with 7,534.03 ha, followed by 6,832.47 ha in 2025, 6,403.14 ha in 2023, 2,044.71 ha in 2022 and 292.54 ha in 2021.
Across the Northeast, INROAD has so far covered 1,79,376.25 ha against a target of 2 lakh ha. Tripura leads with 69,762.21 ha, followed by Assam 50,238.01 ha and Meghalaya 23,106.89 ha.
Officials said Rubber Board supports growers through its Regional Office at Tura and eight field stations, mainly in Garo Hills. About 2,000-3,000 ha of untapped or unmanaged plantations in the state are being revived.
Two Group Processing Centres were set up last year under Green Hill RPS and Laurel Hills RPS at Mendipathar to allow collective processing of latex into sheets for better returns.
There are around 2,600 Rubber Producers’ Societies across India, including over 300 in the Northeast, providing technical and marketing support.
