By Krishnakumar PK KOCHI: The Kerala government’s announcement of a subsidy scheme for small-scale rubber growers has received a muted response in the rubber belt. Nearly a month after the scheme came into effect, only a few thousand growers have registered under the scheme, with about a million people falling under the small-scale category.

The scheme is expected to be Rs 15,000 per kilogram. The area of operation is not more than 22 hectare rubber plantation farmers. Currently, the market price of natural rubber is about Rs 125 kg per kg and the difference is paid through the subsidy scheme.

which is sent directly to the growers’ bank accounts. Considering the lukewarm response to the scheme, the government is likely to extend the deadline by 31st of July.