Kottayam pitches rural employment scheme as answer to shortage of rubber tappers
With a severe shortage of skilled tappers leaving thousands of rubber trees untapped despite record prices, the Kottayam district panchayat has proposed bringing rubber tapping
With a severe shortage of skilled tappers leaving thousands of rubber trees untapped despite record prices, the Kottayam district panchayat has proposed bringing rubber tapping under the revamped rural employment guarantee scheme, Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin). Even as natural rubber has traded above ₹250 a kg for the past two months, many growers have been unable to capitalise on the rally, with plantations lying untapped for want of workers. Seeking to address the labour shortage, the district panchayat has submitted memorandums to both the Union and the State governments, arguing that bringing rubber tapping under the employment guarantee programme could simultaneously generate rural employment and ease the chronic shortage of tappers in rubber-growing regions.
Confirming the move, district panchayat president Joshy Philip said the proposal assumed particular significance for Kottayam, where hundreds of families depend directly and indirectly on rubber cultivation for their livelihood. According to him, the proposal is consistent with the objectives of the employment guarantee scheme, which seeks to strengthen rural livelihoods and reduce unemployment. “Despite rising rubber prices, many growers cannot capitalise due to a shortage of skilled tappers, leaving plantations untapped. Including rubber tapping in the employment guarantee scheme could alleviate this labour shortage and boost profits” he said. The district panchayat has also approached Members of Parliament from Kottayam district to pursue the demand with the Union government.
In his proposal, Mr. Philip suggested that small and marginal growers who tap their own plantations should be brought under the programme by issuing them labour cards. Women could be imparted training in rubber tapping and provided with modern equipment, which will enable them to secure up to 125 days of employment annually at a daily wage of ₹401. ”This will not only create employment opportunities but also improve the viability of rubber cultivation,” he added. The proposal, meanwhile, has found support among growers, workers and the Rubber Board. Board chairman N. Hari said the Board had already raised the issue with the Union government and would extend its full support if the State government formally pursued the proposal.
“The Centre had earlier cited certain technical issues in bringing rubber tapping under the employment guarantee scheme. If the State government formally takes up the matter with the Union government, the Rubber Board will extend its full support,” he said.
The BriefWire