Developing Natural Rubber Based Manufacturing Microenterprise Cluster in the State of Tripura

Abstract

Being the second-largest natural rubber producing state in India, in the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, there exists a great potential for the development of manufacturing activities related to rubber at Tripura. As of now, the industry is in the initial stage and is struggling. To develop this industry, hand-holding support is required from state government and other support organisations. Over a period of time, development of cluster related to some products like micro cellular sheets, rubber mats, rubber bands, black molded rubber products, may be thought of, based on actual experiences certain product or product categories having distinct comparative advantages over competitors may be chosen and developing clusters may planned followed by forward and backward linkages hence increasing the pace of economic development in the region. This field research article, primarily based on Key Information Interviews, explores the strengths and the opportunities; identifies the weakness and threats in this area and proposes the possible steps which could be taken to develop natural rubber-based manufacturing micro-enterprise cluster in the state of Tripura.