The Rubber Board of India and the Department of Land Resources, Government of Nagaland, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)to establish a Nodal Centre of the National Institute for Rubber Training (NIRT) at Rüzaphema in Chümoukedima district.
According to an update issued by the Department of Land Resources, the MoU was signed on January 9 during the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the NIRT held at the Rubber Research Institute in Kottayam, Kerala. The event marked 25 years of the institute’s contribution to skill development and capacity building in the rubber sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian, along with senior officials of the Rubber Board of India and NIRT.
Other dignitaries present included Chandy Oommen, MLA, M Vasanthagesan, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, Dr Siju T, Rubber Production Commissioner, and Priya Varma, Director of NIRT, besides former directors of the institute and officials of the Rubber Board.
The Additional Director of the Nagaland Department of Land Resources described the agreement as a milestone for the state’s agriculture and rural economy. He noted that while more than four lakh hectares in Nagaland are suitable for rubber cultivation, only about 20,000 hectares have been developed so far.
He said the establishment of the nodal centre would support training, research, and development activities, helping to expand rubber cultivation, improve rural incomes, generate employment, and promote sustainable land use. Thanking NIRT and the Rubber Board for their support, he said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to rural communities.
He added that the long standing association between the department and the Rubber Board would be further strengthened through the MoU, with a common vision to advance ecology, employment, and the economy.
