**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2649, answered on August 5, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry addresses concerns regarding natural rubber consumption and production in India.
The Rubber Board reported natural rubber consumption at 14.10 lakh MT and production at 8.75 lakh MT for the financial year 2024-25. To address the supply deficit and anticipated future demand, the government, through the Rubber Board, is implementing the Scheme Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector. This scheme provides financial and technical assistance for planting, replanting (in traditional and non-traditional areas), rain guarding, promoting good agricultural practices, and disease control.
The Rubber Board is also focused on reducing untapped plantations through replantation support, training, capacity building, and welfare measures for tappers. Additionally, a collaborative project between the Rubber Board and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) is underway in the North East region to develop rubber plantations across 200,000 hectares. As of August 2025, 150,915 hectares have been planted under this project. The government acknowledges the need for sustained long-term investments in plantation development, tapping, and productivity enhancement.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI V K SREEKANDAN: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the unstarred question regarding rubber consumption.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for commerce and industry.
Rubber Board of India: An organization under the Government of India responsible for the development of the rubber industry.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who answered the question.
Kerala: A state in India with significant rubber plantations, where approximately one lakh hectares of untapped rubber plantations exist.
Scheme Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector: A government scheme implemented by the Rubber Board to increase productivity and production of natural rubber.
Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association ATMA: An association collaborating with the Rubber Board on a project in the North East for developing rubber plantations.
North East region: A region in India where a project is being implemented by the Rubber Board and ATMA to develop rubber plantations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2649
ANSWERED ON 05/08/2025
RUBBER CONSUMPTION
2649. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased
to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the natural rubber consumption is projected to reach 20
lakh tonnes by 2030 and there is a need to accelerate domestic production, if so,
the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also true that in the financial year 2025, domestic natural rubber
production stood at 8.7 lakh tonnes, while consumption was 14.1 lakh tonnes,
resulting in a deficit of over 5 lakh tonnes, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that a significant opportunity lies in improving production by
tapping nearly two lakh hectares of untapped rubber plantations, including one
lakh hectares in Kerala alone, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether it is also true that there is a need for sustained long term investments in
plantation development, tapping and productivity enhancement; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Rubber Board of
India in this regard?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (e) Natural rubber consumption in India for the year 2024-25 was reported by
Rubber Board to be 14.10 lakh MT and the natural rubber production in the same period
stood at 8.75 lakh MT. Keeping in view the consumption requirements of natural rubber
in the country, the Government, through Rubber Board, is implementing the Scheme
“Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector” under which various
activities are undertaken to increase the productivity and production of natural rubber in
the country. Under the scheme, Rubber Board provides financial / technical assistance
for inter alia planting / replanting of natural rubber in both traditional and non-traditional
areas, rain guarding, promotion of good agricultural practices and disease control.
1In order to boost production, Rubber Board also takes steps for reducing untapped
plantations which inter alia include providing support for replantation of senile plantations
and training, capacity building & welfare measures for tappers.
Further, as a measure towards development of new rubber plantations, a project
is being implemented by Rubber Board in collaboration with Automotive Tyre
Manufacturers Association (ATMA) in the North East for developing rubber plantations in
200,000 ha area. Under this project, so far natural rubber has been planted in 150,915
ha area in the North East region.
*****
2