Initiative launched to upskill natural rubber growers in North East
Aimed at strengthening India’s natural rubber ecosystem, a new initiative has been launched under Project INROAD to enhance NR quality. The initiative is known in the name iSPEED (INROAD Skilling and Production Efficiency Enhancement Drive).
INROAD (Indian Natural Rubber Operations for Assisted Development) is a first of its kind project in the world where the tyre industry is contributing directly towards development of new natural rubber plantations besides improving the quality of processed rubber in the Northeast involving an investment of ₹1100 crore.
The project is financially supported by 4 members of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) including Apollo, Ceat, JK and MRF and implemented by the Rubber Board.
iSPEED, a ₹145 crore initiative within INROAD is a five-year commitment to directly benefit over 2 lakh smallholder rubber farmers and nursery owners across the NE and West Bengal by imparting structured skill training, deploying modern infrastructure, and improving quality standards at source.
“With iSPEED, we are investing in the knowledge and capabilities of India’s natural rubber growers,” said Arun Mammen, Chairman, ATMA and Vice Chairman & Managing Director MRF Ltd.
Natural rubber cultivation in the NE has grown significantly under the INROAD project, with over 1.36 lakh new growers taking up plantation in the past four years. However, limited access to scientific tapping techniques, quality processing infrastructure, and disease management continues to impact yields.
To address these gaps, iSPEED will support the deployment of: 3,000 smokehouses for high-quality sheet production; 3,000 sheet rolling machines, including manual and motorised units; model nurseries and demonstration units across key field stations; processing and grading centres for post-harvest management; a network of lead farmers to support community-based knowledge transfer.
With INROAD laying the foundation, iSPEED will bring the momentum,” said Pravin Tripathi, Chairman, INROAD. “We are building rural infrastructure and skilling models that will outlast the project cycle and create sustainable value for growers.”
ATMA Chairman launched the initiative by inaugurating a few smokehouses in Tripura and Assam tailor made for the region and created using local materials.
Since the majority of the beneficiaries of the project are small landholders with holdings of less than one acre, INROAD is encouraging group approach for creating infrastructure so that the entire community is empowered.
Rubber smokehouses are vital for producing high-quality rubber sheets by drying and curing latex, the milky substance that is tapped skilfully from the rubber trees.
Published on May 2, 2025
