Aizawl, Jan 24: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced an ambitious plan to expand rubber cultivation across 50,000 hectares in the state, aiming to make Mizoram a leading rubber-producing region.

During his visit to rubber plantations in Chungtlang village, Mamit district, Lalduhoma highlighted that rubber is indigenous to Mizoram, with initial cultivation under government initiatives dating back to 1982. Before the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) came to power in December 2023, rubber cultivation was limited to just 3,025 hectares.

Under the Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission, the government plans to plant rubber on 11,500 hectares over the next five years. To support farmers, 100 rubber roller machines and tapping tools have been sanctioned. Officials reported that 4.5 lakh rubber saplings have already been planted on over 1,000 hectares in Mamit and Kolasib districts, bordering Tripura and Bangladesh.

The Land Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Department has set a target to plant more than 11.58 lakh saplings on 2,575 hectares across various districts this year. The initiative also includes constructing approach roads to plantations and measures to facilitate marketing of rubber produce.