Kottayam (Kerala): As part of efforts to diversify the crop beyond its traditional agro-climatic zones, the Rubber Board of India is set to begin exploring the possibility of expanding rubber cultivation into colder regions of the country.
The details of the plan were shared during a media interaction held at the National Institute of Rubber Training (NIRT) here on Tuesday.
Addressing a group of media delegation from the Kashmir valley, M. Vasanthagesan, IRS, Executive Director of the Rubber Board, said the Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) to study the potential for rubber cultivation and related research in new and challenging climatic conditions.
“The collaboration aims to examine both conventional rubber varieties and alternative rubber-yielding plants that may be better suited to colder climates,” he said.
Vasanthagen pointed out that as HFRI carries out research activities in Ladakh, the scope of this partnership could extend to the region, raising the possibility of introducing rubber-related research and experimental cultivation in the cold desert.
Vasanthagesan was accompanied by Priya Varma, Director (Training), NIRT, during the interaction.
The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India under the Rubber Act, 1947, and is tasked with the overall development of the rubber industry in the country.
As per details shared by officials during the media interaction, India’s rubber sector is largely dominated by small growers, with about 1.37 million small holdings averaging 0.63 hectares in size, accounting for over 92 per cent of the total area under rubber and 94 per cent of production. The total area under rubber in the country stands at around 9.39 lakh hectares, alongside 537 estates larger than 10 hectares.
The sector also supports a wide downstream ecosystem, with 8,840 dealers, 117 processors, and 4,102 consumers. Exports of rubber products currently stand at Rs. 43,202 crore, underscoring the industry’s economic significance. The proposed research into rubber cultivation in colder regions is expected to further strengthen the sector by opening new frontiers for growth and innovation.