The Mizoram government is significantly accelerating its efforts to transform rubber cultivation into a primary driver of the state’s rural economy. Through the ambitious five-year ‘Chief Minister’s Rubber Mission’, the state aims to expand rubber plantations by 11,500 hectares, as confirmed by official sources on Friday. State Land Resources, Soil and Water Conservation (LRS&WC) Director Vanlalmuanpuia Chhangte stated that while Mizoram possesses nearly 50,000 hectares of land suitable for rubber, only about 7,000 hectares had been developed since 1982 due to high establishment costs.
Launched by Chief Minister Lalduhoma after drawing inspiration from Tripura’s successful model, the mission looks at rubber cultivation as a multi-beneficial venture. Beyond generating sustainable income, it serves as a strategic alternative to shifting cultivation (jhum), aids in reclaiming wastelands, conserves water resources, and controls soil erosion. The initiative formally commenced with Phase I in early 2025, successfully covering 1,000 hectares across the Mamit and Kolasib districts, where 936 beneficiaries planted around 4.5 lakh saplings.
The mission has now advanced into Phase II for the current year of 2026, aggressively targeting 2,649 hectares across eight districts. To ensure maximum participation, the government has rolled out a comprehensive four-year support package. This includes free saplings, fertilizers, fencing support, and financial assistance distributed directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system after strict field verifications. Furthermore, 100 sets of subsidized rubber-processing machinery will be distributed this year to help farmers with mature plantations. As the department prepares for Phase III in 2027, district-wide surveys are already underway to identify prospective growers and expand Mizoram’s green economic footprint.
