Rubber Bill: Growers demand inclusion of MSP, agricultural status in legislation

The cultivators feel that the third draft of the Bill is skewed towards the manufacturing industry. The Bill, which is likely to be introduced in Parliament before the elections, aims to promote and develop the rubber industry.

The demand for a minimum support price (MSP) has become a bone of contention in the discussion of the revised Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2023—growers want MSP to be included in the Bill along with the grant of agriculture status for rubber.

Rubber growers feel that the third draft of the Bill, after revisions in 2022 and July 2023, is skewed towards the manufacturing industry. The chief objectives of the Bill, which is likely to be introduced in Parliament before the elections, are to promote and develop the rubber industry and to constitute a Rubber Board in line with contemporary requirements.

The Rubber Board held discussions on the Bill with industry stakeholders in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka last month. Rubber Board executive director M Vasanthagesan said the inclusion of MSP for rubber in the bill was the main demand that emerged from the meetings, which was largely attended by growers. Another strong suggestion was the provision of agriculture status for rubber, he added.

However, there was no suggestion on the rate of MSP to be fixed. MSP for rubber has become a political issue in Kerala, the largest rubber producing state in the country, with the Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church of Thalassery, Mar Joseph Pamplani, declaring early last year that the BJP will get an MP from the state if the Centre gives an MSP of Rs 300 per kg for rubber.

According to the prelate, small rubber growers (many of whom belong to the Christian community) in Kerala were suffering due to the high cost of production and poor price of rubber and politicians were least concerned about this problem. Though the ripples created by the statement soon died down, it led to the strengthening of a plea for MSP for rubber among the growers. With Parliamentary elections a few months away, the issue is likely to be in the spotlight again.

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