World · India Bureau
Rubber Board launches digital platform to address Kerala tapper shortage
The Rubber Board is rolling out INR Konnect, a digital initiative designed to bridge the widening gap between rubber plantations and skilled tappers in Kerala. The platform coincides with new training programmes aimed at expanding women's participation in the sector.
LSN India ·
Facing acute labour shortages in rubber plantations, the Rubber Board has unveiled INR Konnect, a digital platform intended to streamline the recruitment and deployment of skilled rubber tappers across Kerala's estates. The initiative addresses a persistent challenge in the plantation sector, where the availability of trained workers has become increasingly constrained.
The platform is designed to connect plantation owners with qualified tappers, facilitating more efficient workforce management and ensuring consistent labour supply across the industry. By digitising the recruitment process, the Rubber Board aims to reduce the time and cost associated with hiring, while improving working conditions and job security for labourers.
Concurrently, the Rubber Board has rolled out specialised training programmes to encourage greater participation of women in rubber tapping operations. These initiatives seek to diversify the workforce and provide economic opportunities to women in rubber-producing regions, addressing both the labour shortage and gender inclusion objectives.
The dual-pronged approach reflects broader efforts within India's rubber sector to modernise operations and build a more sustainable, inclusive workforce in plantation agriculture.