Khunta: The long-cherished dream of the rubber farmers of the Kendugadi rubber milk production and processing center under the Khunta block of Mayurbhanj district has been fulfilled. Due to the foresight and willpower of the farmers, the committee has started a new rubber band industry at the center. This is the first rubber band industry in the state. The industry could be a source of inspiration for hundreds of rubber farmers in the region in the coming days, said rubber board official Shaktinath Shatapathi. According to sources, the Central Board’s rubber board is providing special training to the farmers of the Kendugadi Samiti. Under the direction of Devendra Singh, President of the Center, and under the supervision of Mr. Shatapathi, Officer, Board of Robots, and MN Biju, Quality Control Officer, Mr. Abraham is training the staff of the James Abraham Committee as a trainer. The project, which is set to cost Rs 10 lakh, is expected to produce a total of 45 kilograms of different shapes and sizes, ranging from 200 liters of rubber milk per day. Suresh Kumar Nayak, Ormas Rubber Marketing Manager, informed that the rubber contract has been contracted to be purchased by the District Ormas Rubber Department directly from the committee. Kaptipada sub-district ITDA will work to develop the infrastructure of the center once the new project is launched, said the project administration Devdatta Panta. In 2010-11, 12 tonnes of rubber was first harvested from about 6,000 trees. In 2019-20, 40.07 tonnes of rubber was collected at a cost of Rs 71.62 lakh.
