Aizawl, August 20, 2025: Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma has approved a proposal to expand the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission (2nd Phase) by an additional 173 hectares, providing a major boost to the state’s efforts to promote rubber cultivation as a sustainable source of livelihood and economic development.
The decision was taken during a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Office with leaders of the Mizoram Rubber Society (MIRSO), who presented a progress report on the implementation of the mission and sought additional support to meet growing demand from farmers wishing to participate in the programme.
During the meeting, MIRSO President Pu Hrangzuala briefed the Chief Minister on the ongoing works being carried out under the second phase of the mission, particularly in Mamit District, where rubber cultivation has witnessed significant progress. He expressed gratitude to the state government for its continued support and highlighted the strong response from cultivators across the state. According to him, interest in joining the mission has exceeded expectations, prompting the Society to seek an additional allocation of 173 hectares beyond the 400 hectares already sanctioned under the Handholding Scheme.
Responding positively to the request, Chief Minister Lalduhoma approved the expansion and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative. He assured MIRSO that all necessary support would be extended, including the provision of 100 rubber smoke houses and various subsidy components designed to assist growers in processing and marketing their produce more effectively.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the contribution of rubber cultivators in advancing the mission and helping establish rubber as an important commercial crop in Mizoram. He said the government would continue to work closely with farmers and stakeholders to strengthen the sector and maximize its economic potential.
ALSO READ: Mizoram University Hosts Freshers’ Social 2025 with Cultural Fervour
Under the second phase of the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, the state has set a target of bringing 2,400 hectares of land under rubber cultivation. Of this total, 1,200 hectares will be supported through assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), while the remaining area is being developed under the government’s Handholding Scheme.
With the newly approved expansion, the area covered under the Handholding Scheme will increase from 1,200 hectares to 1,373 hectares, significantly widening the programme’s reach and enabling more farmers to benefit from government support.
Lalduhoma emphasized that the Rubber Mission is not merely an agricultural programme but a long-term investment in rural development, employment generation, and economic self-reliance. He noted that rubber cultivation has the potential to improve household incomes, reduce dependence on shifting cultivation, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
Urging farmers to actively participate in the initiative, the Chief Minister assured them of the government’s full backing and expressed confidence that the mission would help transform Mizoram into a significant rubber-producing state in the Northeast. He added that continued expansion of rubber cultivation would contribute to the state’s broader goals of agricultural diversification, rural prosperity, and economic growth.
