India has emerged as the world's largest producer of rubber.

Productivity of natural rubber in India has been estimated at 1,879 kg per hectare per year for 2006, overtaking Thailand that had a productivity of 1,736 kg per hectare per year in 2005.

Rubber board officials said the International Rubber Study Group will soon announce India's as the world's biggest rubber producer.

Thailand was in the top slot until 2005 with a productivity of 1,736 kg per hectare per year.

Although productivity in Thailand increased to 1,799 kg per hectare per year in 2006, it lost its number one position as India's productivity increased from 1,727 kg per hectare per year in 2005 to 1,879 kg per hectare per year in 2006.

Productivity in rubber is estimated by dividing production by tapped area.

Rubber board officials said despite the high productivity levels the domestic supply of natural rubber may not see a major increase until 2011-2012 mainly because the growers have already adopted short term measures to increase productivity.