(a) the total area under rubber cultivation in the country;
(b) the yield of rubber per hectare in the country;
(c) whether there is any gap between demand and production;
(d) if so, the details thereof, and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to meet the demand and production
of rubber?
MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
(a) & (b): Total area under rubber cultivation in the country during 1999-2000 was 5,63,000 ha. with an average yield of 1588 kg/ha.
(c) & (d): The production and demand of natural rubber during 1999-2000 is estimated at 6.22 lakh MT and 6.28 lakh MT respectively.
(e): The Government of India through Rubber Board has been implementing various schemes including financial and technical assistance to the rubber growers to boost the production of natural rubber in order to meet demand of natural rubber in the country.