The Kerala government has increased the minimum support price of natural rubber to Rs.200 per kilogram under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme, but farmers say procedural delays are preventing them from accessing the benefit during the current season.

The minimum support price was raised from Rs.180 to Rs.200 per kg with effect from November 1. Under the scheme, the government will pay farmers the difference between the prevailing market price and the minimum support price. The current market rate for rubber is around Rs.185 per kg.

To avail themselves of the enhanced minimum support price, rubber farmers are required to renew their registration through the Rubber Board's official website. After renewal, sales bills must be uploaded online by Rubber Producers' Societies (RPS). However, farmers said the website for registration renewal, which Rubber Board authorities had said would be opened by mid-December, is yet to become fully functional. As a result, many growers fear they may miss out on the subsidy this season, as registration renewal has not been possible even in January.

Responding to the concerns, Rubber Board officials said the issue was limited to a minor technical problem related to logging into the website and was being addressed. They maintained that there are no major obstacles to renewing registrations. If any RPS is facing difficulties, they should contact the respective regional office for immediate resolution. Once the registration renewal process is completed, farmers will be able to upload sales bills up to December 15. At present, only farmers who were already registered under the Rubber Production Incentive Scheme are eligible to apply for the support price benefit. New registrations will begin once formal approval is received from the state government.