Maharashtra Explores Rubber Cultivation Potential As Konkan Trials Needed To Boost Domestic Healthcare Raw Material Supply

Mumbai: Maharashtra has conducted only one reported rubber cultivation trial, in Kolhapur in partnership with Dr DY Patil Agricultural University, indicating a need for more localized studies to ascertain if the state, particularly the Konkan region, can support commercial rubber plantations. Dr Debabrata Ray, Director of the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), emphasized the necessity for universities and agricultural institutions across Maharashtra to conduct trials before considering large-scale cultivation.

Rubber, along with latex, is utilized in various healthcare products such as medical gloves, condoms, catheters, and tubing, making the expansion of domestic rubber production crucial beyond agriculture. India produced 8.75 lakh tonnes of natural rubber in 2024-25 but consumed 14.10 lakh tonnes, importing 5.51 lakh tonnes. Although the rubber industry's largest consumer is the tyre sector, healthcare manufacturing also relies heavily on rubber and latex.

While there is no official estimate of the exact share of rubber consumed by the healthcare sector, a government report on surgical-glove manufacturing reveals that over 90% of the raw material is latex concentrate, underscoring the importance of dependable latex supplies for medical products. The Rubber Board seeks additional trials to evaluate soil, rainfall, drainage, temperature, suitable clones, and productivity across potential locations in Maharashtra.

The Konkan belt could be explored through multi-location trials instead of relying on a single experimental site, with the Rubber Board’s regional research station at Dapchari poised to support such studies. Officials stressed that commercial rubber cultivation should only be pursued if scientific trials confirm its suitability and economic viability.

If suitable locations are identified, rubber cultivation could offer Maharashtra an additional commercial crop, bolstering India's domestic raw-material base for various industries, including healthcare consumables.