Rubber Board to Work with Michelin Arm on Various Research Projects

Rubber Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research matters with SMPT (Societe des Matieres Premieres Tropicales Pte Ltd), Singapore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the multinational tyre company Michelin.

K.N. Raghavan, Executive Director, Rubber Board, signed the agreement in Kottayam on behalf of the Rubber Board, and Trai-Ukos Segsarn, Managing Director, SMPT, signed the agreement in Singapore on behalf of the Michelin Group.

According to Raghavan, the Board's achievements in the fields of genetic improvement of Hevea clones, disease and pest management, latex harvest technology, processing, product development, and knowledge sharing with leading research firms like SMPT will undoubtedly contribute to improving the sustainability and development of the entire rubber value chain, benefiting growers in particular.

Segsarn stated that a collaboration with the Indian Rubber Board in the research field is highly valued and that a lot of knowledge can be shared, benefiting the natural rubber industry.

SMPT expressed an interest in collaborating with the Rubber Board on a variety of research projects, including clone development, disease management, rubber-based agroforestry systems, online fertilizer recommendation, low-frequency tapping, processing, and product development.

Entering into an MoU with a well-known global company such as Machelin can benefit Rubber Board in terms of potential revenue, increased international visibility for its capabilities/achievements, and the expansion of its activities.

Functions of Rubber Board:

• To promote the development of the rubber industry through whatever means it deems appropriate

• Carrying out, assisting in, or encouraging scientific, technological, or economic research

• Students are being taught better methods of planting, cultivation, manuring, and spraying.

• Providing technical assistance to rubber farmers

• Rubber marketing should be improved

• The gathering of statistics from estate owners, dealers, and manufacturers

• Securing better working conditions, as well as providing and improving amenities and incentives to employees