Chief Minister's Rubber Mission
A planting subsidy of ₹16,000–₹20,000 per hectare, free saplings from ATMA, and new processing units — expanding rubber cultivation across Tripura's tribal areas.
Run by: Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Tripura
- Subsidy (≤5 ha)
- ₹20,000 per hectare
- Subsidy (5–20 ha)
- ₹16,000 per hectare
- Families covered
- 56,400 (first 4 years)
- Area planted
- 46,086 hectares
Overview
Tripura is India's second-largest natural rubber producer, behind only Kerala. Rubber is the backbone crop of the state's tribal economy — it grows well on the rolling hills that dominate Tripura's landscape, needs relatively little input once established, and provides a steady cash income for two to three decades per plantation cycle. Yet large tracts of suitable land remained unplanted, and ageing plantations needed replanting.
The Chief Minister's Rubber Mission was launched in 2021–22 under the Department of Tribal Welfare to close both gaps. In its first four years the mission brought 46,086 hectares under new rubber plantation and reached 56,400 families. It provides a per-hectare planting grant — ₹20,000 for holdings up to 5 hectares, ₹16,000 for holdings between 5 and 20 hectares — and the Automated Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) supplies quality-certified saplings free of cost. The Tribal Welfare Department adds further support: fencing material and fertiliser for the initial years when the young plants are vulnerable.
Rubber has a long gestation — about six to seven years before the first tapping — so the mission is designed as a patient, multi-year investment. The state government has been considering a five-year extension beyond the original timeline. Alongside plantation, ten new rubber processing units are planned to add value within the state rather than shipping raw sheets to Kerala. For farmers in Tripura's tribal belts, this mission turns an underused hillside into a twenty-five-year income asset.
What you get
The benefit as the state notifies it — nothing here is an estimate.
- Planting grant of ₹20,000/ha for holdings up to 5 hectares, ₹16,000/ha for 5–20 hectares.
- Quality-certified rubber saplings supplied free by the Automated Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
- Additional support from Tribal Welfare Department: fencing material and fertiliser during the vulnerable early years.
- Ten new rubber processing units planned to add value locally and create employment.
Who is eligible
State schemes usually state their criteria as prose rather than a checklist. This is that prose, unpacked — the department’s verification is what decides.
You qualify if
- Resident of Tripura
- Primarily tribal (ST) farmers, though non-tribal farmers on suitable land may apply depending on block-level allocation
- Land suitable for rubber plantation — hilly or undulating terrain with adequate rainfall
- Willing to commit to the 6–7 year gestation period before first tapping
- Holding size up to 20 hectares under the mission
Not covered
- Land not suitable for rubber (waterlogged plains, heavy clay, frost-prone altitudes)
- Holdings above 20 hectares under this mission's subsidy structure
Documents you need
Have these ready before you start — most rejections are a missing paper, not a missing right.
- Aadhaar card
- Land records (patta / possession certificate)
- ST certificate (for tribal applicants)
- Bank passbook
- Passport-size photographs
How to apply
Fewer steps than a central scheme, and usually one office rather than a portal.
- 1
Contact the Block Welfare Officer
The mission is administered through Block Welfare Officers under the Tribal Welfare Department. Visit the block office to express interest and get the application form.
- 2
Submit application with land records
Fill in the application and attach land records showing ownership or possession of suitable land. The block officer verifies land suitability.
- 3
Receive saplings and planting support
Once selected, ATMA-supplied saplings are delivered free. The department also arranges fencing and fertiliser. Planting is done under technical guidance.
- 4
Planting grant disbursement
The per-hectare planting subsidy (₹20,000 or ₹16,000 depending on holding size) is disbursed to the farmer's bank account after planting verification.
If something goes wrong
Missing from the list, or payment stuck — here is the channel the department itself publishes for it.
- For delays in sapling delivery, subsidy disbursement or selection disputes, approach the Block Welfare Officer first, then the District Welfare Officer at the district collectorate. Keep your application acknowledgement and any receipts.
- Beyond the department, register a complaint on the CPGRAMS portal — pgportal.gov.in — or contact the Tripura Chief Minister's Office. The state also has a CM helpline for citizen grievances.
Frequently asked questions
How long before a rubber plantation starts giving returns?
Rubber trees take about six to seven years of growth before the bark is mature enough for tapping. After that, a well-maintained plantation yields latex for twenty to twenty-five years before replanting is needed. The gestation is long but the income phase is equally long.
How do I get free saplings — do I approach ATMA directly?
No. The saplings come through the mission's pipeline: once your application is approved by the Block Welfare Officer, ATMA-supplied saplings are delivered to you at no cost. You do not need to contact ATMA separately.
What about old plantations that need replanting?
The mission covers both new plantations on unplanted land and replanting of old, exhausted rubber gardens. The subsidy structure applies either way. If your existing trees are past their productive life (typically 25–30 years), you can apply for replanting support.
Is this only for tribal (ST) farmers?
The mission is run by the Department of Tribal Welfare and prioritises tribal families, who are the primary beneficiaries. Non-tribal farmers on suitable land may be considered depending on block-level allocation and availability, but the programme's focus is on tribal livelihoods.
Will the processing units buy my rubber?
The ten new processing units being planned under the mission will create local demand for raw rubber sheets and latex, reducing farmers' dependence on distant buyers. Details of procurement arrangements will depend on each unit's operational model, but the intent is to shorten the supply chain within Tripura.
Can I grow other crops between rubber rows during the gestation period?
Yes. Intercropping with short-duration crops like pineapple, ginger or turmeric in the inter-row spaces is common practice and actually recommended during the first four to five years when the rubber canopy has not yet closed. It provides income while the trees mature.
Facts checked against twd.tripura.gov.in on 26 September 2026. editorial policy.