THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac is presenting the state budget for the coming financial year in the assembly. The announcements in the budget are very beneficial to the farmers. The most important of these is the increase in the support price of rubber which is a relief for rubber farmers. The support price of rubber has been increased to Rs 170 per kg. At present it is Rs 150. With Kerala Congress led by Jose K Mani joining the LDF, it was almost certain that there would be a relief announcement in the budget for rubber farmers. The Kerala Congress had demanded a minimum of Rs 200 per kilogram.