Question

What geographical conditions are necessary for the development and progress of rubber plantations in India?

Answer 1

Hint: India is the fourth-largest producer of rubber in the world after Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia and it contributes to 9% of the total production of rubber in the world. The first rubber plantations in India were set up in 1895 in Kerala and it began to be used on a commercial scale in 1902. Earlier, rubber was mainly produced by larger estates only but now small holdings account for 88% of the rubber produced in India.

Complete answer:The species name of the rubber tree is Hevea Brasiliensis. It is a tropical plant which means that it can only grow in tropical latitudes and requires an average temperature of 25-30° C along with heavy rainfall. The average rainfall has to be about 200 cm and the optimum condition for the growth of a rubber tree would be a uniform distribution of rainfall around the year. The ideal soil type required for rubber is deep, loamy and well-drained. The tree acquires a height of 20-30 meters and begins to yield latex once it is 5-7 years old. Dry spell and low temperatures are detrimental to the growth of rubber. Plantation of rubber is also very labour-intensive as it requires maintenance, collection of latex, preparation of rubber, nurturing of the rubber tree, etc.

Note: The state of Kerala is the largest producer of rubber in India and contributes to over 90% of the total rubber produced in India. The major districts in Kerala that account for rubber production are Kottayam, Kollam, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. Tamil Nadu is the second-largest producer of rubber in India and contributes to only around 4% of the total rubber production in India. The major rubber producing districts in Tamil Nadu are Nilgiri, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Salem. Other states in India that contribute to rubber production include Tripura and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.