The Rubber Board has announced financial assistance to buy sprayers and dusters for use in small rubber holdings as a measure to increase productivity.
A press release from the board here on Thursday said the rubber producers' societies, companies under them and rubber self-help groups would get the money.
For buying a sprayer-cum-duster, Rs.30,500 would be given, for the sprayer alone, Rs.27,000 and the duster, Rs.6,300. These sums or half the cost would be paid, whichever was less. A company could get assistance for two machines and a society or group, one. The subsidy was available for machines manufactured by American Springs and Pressing Works and Ooppoottil Agencies and Estate Suppliers.
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The release said crop loss on rubber estates, especially in small holdings, could be prevented by spraying of fungicides against phytophthora and powdery mildew using low-volume sprayers or dusters. Small growers found it difficult to buy the high-priced sprayers and dusters.