<h1>Government expands rubber cultivation mission by 173 hectares, raising phase-two coverage to 2,400 hectares with mixed funding</h1> The state government approved expansion of a rubber cultivation initiative by an additional 173 hectares as part of the second phase of its rubber mission, bringing phase-two coverage to 2,400 hectares statewide. The expansion responds to farmer demand in a specific district where cultivation was previously limited to 400 hectares. Funding for 1,200 hectares will come from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, with the remaining area implemented under the state's 'Handholding' scheme, which will now cover 1,373 hectares. The government also plans to distribute 100 subsidised rubber processing machines to support beneficiaries.