THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major boost to the state’s agricultural sector, the Kerala Finance Department has officially issued an order increasing the minimum support price (MSP) for natural rubber to ₹250 per kilogram. The enhancement has been implemented under the state’s flagship Rubber Production Incentive Scheme (RPIS).
This fulfills a key poll promise made by the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition. Chief Minister and Finance Minister V.D. Satheesan had earlier announced the price revision—raising it from the existing ₹200 per kg to ₹250 per kg—during the presentation of the UDF government’s maiden revised budget. As per the official notification, the new support price will be applicable to all rubber procurement bills dated from July 3, 2026, onwards.
Small-scale rubber growers and various Rubber Producer Societies (RPS) had been continuously demanding an upward revision due to escalating production and labor costs. The decision has been widely welcomed by the farming community as a morale booster that ensures a stable financial floor, encouraging growers to revive untapped plantations and maintain production even if global market prices experience future volatility.
