The Rubber Board is inviting applications by March 31 from rubber growers for providing assistance in replanting and new planting under the Rubber Plantation Development Scheme.
Applications in the prescribed form in duplicate together with two copies of correct survey plan of the land already planted in 2010 should be sent to the respective regional offices of the Board on or before the above date, it said.
Application forms and other details are available from all regional offices and field offices of the Board at Rs 5 per set.
The application forms in Malayalam and English can also be downloaded from the Rubber Board’s website www.rubberboard.org.in.
In the traditional rubber growing areas in Kerala and in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, growers whose total rubber area does not exceed 5 hectare including newplanting / replanting done in 2010, are eligible for planting grant for an area up to 2 hectares.
The rate of assistance is Rs 19,500 per hectare for replanting and new planting. In non-traditional rubber growing areas, growers whose rubber area does not exceed 20 ha are eligible for assistance.
The rate of assistance in non-traditional areas is Rs 30,000 per hectare which includes planting subsidy, cost of polybag plants and transportation subsidy, according to Rubber Board release.