Agartala, July 5: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating condition of rubber farmers in Tripura, with nearly 1.8 lakh cultivators struggling with unresolved issues. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, AIKS Tripura State Secretary Pabitra Kar slammed both the state and central governments for their failure to support farmers and accused the state of misleading the public on agricultural progress.
Kar pointed out that while the state government claims that farmers’ incomes have doubled, the central government has not acknowledged any such improvement. “The ground reality is alarming. The overall condition of farmers in the country is dismal, and Tripura’s agricultural system is practically collapsing,” he said.
To address the growing crisis, a delegation submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the Joint Commissioner of the Tripura Rubber Board on Friday. Kar added that AIKS will soon launch a series of state-wide movements to press for these demands.
The key demands include:
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Free distribution of rubber saplings and a subsidy of ₹50,000 per hectare for new plantations.
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Ensuring rubber procurement by the Rubber Board at the prices listed on its official website.
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Reintroduction of insurance coverage for rubber plantations.
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Supply of subsidised fertilisers through the Rubber Board.
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Issuance of free Rubber Plantation Certificates to growers.
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A 50% subsidy for poor and marginal farmers to build smoke houses and purchase rural machinery.
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Reopening of closed Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS).
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Skill training for new tappers and quality rubber sheet production under Rubber Board initiatives.
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Expanding rubber cultivation with full support and responsibility undertaken by the Rubber Board.
Kar said that AIKS stands firmly with the struggling rubber farmers and will intensify protests if the demands are not addressed promptly.
