'Policy-Induced Crisis Hurts Rubber Farmers'

The lack of MSP support, combined with a surge in cheaper compound rubber imports due to agreements like ASEAN-FTA and collusive practices among tire manufacturers, burdens rubber farmers across the country, particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Tripura. Invasive diseases causing delayed tree growth, reduced yields, and a lack of skilled labor further challenge the industry. At a seminar organised by the P. Sundarayya Memorial Trust at the Institute of Public Policy Research, these issues were discussed, and a cooperative model was proposed to benefit both producers and consumers. NewsClick spoke with leaders from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) who attended the two-day national seminar in Thiruvananthapuram.