Activities of RPS

At the beginning of this century there were only a handful of rubber planters in and around Moorje. After 2002 when the price of natural rubber had gone up many people showed interest in cultivating rubber. The new rubber planters had no knowledge in rubber planting. The new aspiring rubber planters approached RPS for the knowhow and RPS has taken up the challenge of educating them in rubber cultivation. In 2004, the RPS has opened an office at Moorje junction in a rented room and started its activities.

Transfer of Technology

1. Seminars

Our first endeavour was to impart genuine knowledge regarding rubber cultivation. To achieve this target we adopted different means of technology transfer seminars, Field demonstration programmes, training classes etc.

The RPS has conducted seminars on various need based topics such as peg marking on contour lines, pitting, planting, soil testing and manuring, maintenance of Immature plantations, bee keeping, tapping defects rectification, diseases and its control measures etc. A good number of rubber small growers have benefited from it.

A. Demonstration classes

Subjects:
  • Peg marking on contour lines
  • Manuring and maintenance of rubber plantation.
  • Diseases and its control measures.
  • Soil and leaf analysis.
  • Bee Keeping
  • Tapping and Processing

B. Training Classes

2. Marketing

Our second main activity is marketing of natural rubber. We make sure that the rubber growers get a fair price for their produce. The procurement of sheet rubber and field coagulum during the peak season may go up to 100 metric tons per month.

3. Input Distribution

Our third activity is to supply all inputs connected with rubber cultivation at affordable price. More than 140 items are being supplied to the rubber growers. The main items include: fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides, inputs connected with rubber taping and processing, rain guarding and spraying materials etc.

Group Processing Centre

The RPS has made a significant impact in the modernization of the rubber holdings in their operational area through its unrelenting efforts of transfer of technology combined with the institutional support of the Rubber Board.Establishment of a Group Processing Centre in 2016 with the technical and financial support of the Rubber Board was a way forward for undertaking community processing and marketing of rubber. The latex from the estates of member growers are processed to uniform quality sheets and marketed by the RPS itself .The beneficiary growers will get their due price as per the grade on a minimal service charge. The beneficiary growers are thus saved from the drudgery of homestead processing and storage of sheet rubber besides the realization of better price. GPC has also created new jobs for nearly ten people.

Other Activities

A. Spraying

Spraying is a major activity to contain the spread of various severe diseases such as Corynespora, Abnormal Leaf Fall etc.

B. Surveying

RPS has helped the growers in surveying their lands for availing the subsidy from Rubber Board for new planting or re-planting . The RPS has been helping Rubber Board officials in visiting the rubber plantations for subsidy payment.

C. Bee Keeping

 
 
The RPS has formed Self Help Groups for promoting Bee Keeping in rubber plantations as an ancillary income source.

D. Motivation programs


Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM) Training

E. Welfare activities