Tripura to set up 28 smoke houses under SASCI scheme to boost rubber production
Agartala, India – In a significant move to enhance the quality of rubber production, the Tripura government has initiated the construction of 28 modern smoke houses. This project is funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, with the Centre sanctioning ₹37.50 crore for its completion.
The smoke houses are designed to produce high-quality rubber sheets, which fetch higher market value. According to Subhasish Das, Director of Tripura’s Tribal Welfare Department, the government aims to complete the construction within the next six months. Smoke houses play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of rubber sheets, which have higher market value.
Tripura is the second-largest natural rubber producer in India, after Kerala, with 1,10,648 hectares of plantations producing 1,10,717 metric tons of natural rubber annually. However, less than 4 percent of the state’s natural rubber undergoes value addition, with around 96 percent being sent outside the state. The new smoke houses are expected to improve the quality of rubber sheets, thereby increasing earnings for local rubber growers.
Officials from the Rubber Board believe that once operational, these smoke houses will significantly boost the quality of rubber produced in Tripura. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable and efficient rubber production practices in the region.
The construction of these smoke houses marks a major step forward in Tripura’s efforts to enhance its rubber industry. By improving the quality of rubber sheets, the state aims to increase its market value and provide better economic opportunities for its rubber growers.
As the project progresses, the Tripura government remains committed to supporting the local rubber industry and ensuring the successful implementation of the SASCI scheme. This initiative is expected to have a lasting positive impact on the state’s economy and the livelihoods of its rubber growers.