The Kottayam District Administration has proposed integrating rubber tapping under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to address the acute shortage of skilled rubber tappers in Kerala. The proposal comes as rising natural rubber prices have encouraged growers to resume tapping, but many plantations remain underutilized due to a lack of available labour. District officials believe that incorporating rubber tapping into the rural employment programme would generate additional employment opportunities while helping plantation owners overcome labour shortages and improve latex production. The proposal has been submitted to the State Government for consideration.

The initiative seeks to benefit both smallholder rubber farmers and rural workers by providing assured employment while supporting increased domestic natural rubber production. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposal, noting that Kerala's rubber sector continues to face a significant shortage of trained tappers despite favorable market conditions. If approved, the scheme could strengthen the availability of skilled labour, enhance plantation productivity, and contribute to reducing India's dependence on imported natural rubber by improving utilization of existing plantations.