Aizawl, Jan 15, 2026: The Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Mizoram on Thursday organised a training programme on Scientific Rubber Cultivation under the Mizoram Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl. The inaugural session was attended by Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram.
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| Image Credit: DIPR Mizoram |
Lalthansanga, Minister for Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation, was present as Guest of Honour, while K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Adviser to the Chief Minister, accompanied the Chief Minister during the programme.
After releasing a handbook on rubber plantation management, the Chief Minister addressed the gathering and said that despite Mizoram attaining Union Territory status more than five decades ago, the state lacked a distinctive crop that could firmly establish its identity. He noted that with focused policies of the present government, Mizoram was declared the Ginger Capital of India, and that passion fruit also holds strong promise as a major crop.
Highlighting rubber as one of the most promising crops for the state, Lalduhoma said the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission was launched with the objective of transforming Mizoram into a major rubber-producing region. He said the Mission was formulated after detailed consultations with the Rubber Board of India and by studying the Tripura Rubber Mission, ensuring a systematic and well-planned approach.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that progress under the Mission had exceeded initial expectations, attributing it to the enthusiastic response of farmers willing to take up rubber cultivation. Assuring continued government support, he urged farmers to put in their best efforts, stressing that rubber cultivation requires proper technical knowledge and discipline. He encouraged participants to follow the training attentively, assuring them of sustained institutional backing.
The training programme, conducted with experts from the Rubber Board of India and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (Servo Lubricants), aims to train around 550 rubber growers in scientific cultivation practices, tapping techniques, rubber sheet processing, post-harvest handling and pest management.
Officials said Mizoram has nearly 50,000 hectares of land suitable for rubber cultivation. Rubber, they noted, is a resilient crop that supports afforestation, aids water conservation, provides good market value, and yields usable timber after its economic life, making it a priority crop for the state.
The Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, launched on October 18, 2024, began implementation in early 2025. So far, 4.5 lakh rubber saplings have been planted over 1,000 hectares in Mamit and Kolasib districts. In 2026, the department plans to plant 11.58 lakh saplings across 2,575 hectares in various districts. The five-year Mission targets coverage of 11,500 hectares under rubber cultivation.
Infrastructure support under the Mission will include construction of approach roads to plantations, supply of rubber roller machines and tapping tools, and facilitation of marketing arrangements. During the current year, 46.5 km of approach roads are planned across eleven plantation locations.
Similar training programmes will also be organised soon in Lunglei, Hnahthial, Lawngtlai and Siaha districts to benefit rubber growers across Mizoram
