All India Rubber Industries Association

Current Issue

Search Archives:

Nov 26, 2025

Rubber Growers demand higher import duty, government intervention on prices

The Karnataka State Rubber Cultivators' Hitharakshana Vedike has called for an increase in the import duty on rubber, while also demanding that rubber be declared as a horticulture crop. The organisation has further urged the state govt to intervene in the market and ensure a minimum price of Rs 250 per kg for rubber. To highlight these demands, the vedike, in association with the Belthangady Taluk Rubber Growers' Marketing and Processing Cooperative Society, will host the Karnataka State Rubber Growers' Conference 2025 in Ujire on Nov 29.Legislative assembly speaker UT Khader will inaugurate the event, which will be presided over by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta. Economist Vigneshwara Varmudy will deliver the keynote address and present his report, 'Natural Rubber Economy in Karnataka at Crossroads', at the conference. Vedike president Shridhar Bhide noted that unstable rubber prices have pushed many cultivators across the state to cut down their trees. Rising production costs have further worsened the situation, making continued cultivation difficult. He pointed out that because rubber cultivation is not listed under either the horticulture or agriculture departments, growers are excluded from govt benefits.