Govt to take steps to boost rubber product exports: Minister George Kurian

George Kurian; Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying inaugurating the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the National Institute for Rubber Training. Siju T. (Rubber Production Commissioner), Hekato N. (Additional Director, DLR, Nagaland), Sailaja G.S. (HOD, PSRT, CUSAT), Priya Varma H. (Director, NIRT), M Vasanthagesan (Executive Director, Rubber Board) and Debabrata Ray (Director, RRII) are also seen (from left).

George Kurian, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has said that steps are being taken to ensure the traceability of domestically produced natural rubber in order to comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulations and to facilitate the export of rubber products.

The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) at Kottayam.

Although Kerala is a major producer of natural rubber, he said the State lags behind in the development of rubber-based industries, and stressed the need to establish more such industries.

According to the Minister, the area under natural rubber and its production are increasing in the country. He highlighted the proactive role of the Government in curbing the import of rubber in the form of cup lump.

Chandy Oommen, MLA who presided over the meeting expressed concern over the outflow of youth to foreign countries, noting that this trend is adversely affecting natural rubber cultivation.

M.Vasanthagesan, Executive Director highlighted the achievements of NIRT and stated that the Institute would continue to focus on addressing both the upstream and downstream requirements of the rubber industry.

e.o.m.

Published on January 9, 2026