GM Rubber

Rubber Board research farm on the outskirts of Guwahati planted the world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant tailored for the climatic conditions in the Northeast.

The GM rubber has additional copies of the gene MnSOD, or manganese-containing superoxide dismutase, inserted in the plant, which is expected to tide over the severe cold conditions during winter — a major factor affecting the growth of young rubber plants in the region.
Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in the Northeast, which is one of the largest producers of rubber in India.

Growth of young rubber plants remains suspended during the winter months, which are also characterised by progressive drying of the soil.
This is the reason for the long immaturity period of this crop in the region.
The MnSOD gene has the ability to protect plants from the adverse effects of severe environmental stresses such as cold and drought.
- To know more about GM crops and associated laws in India- https://officerspulse.com/htbt-cotton-seeds/

India is the fourth largest natural rubber-producing country in the world.
Kerala is the largest natural rubber producing state in the country followed by Tripura
Natural rubber is cultivated in 16 states in India.
The British established the first rubber plantation in India in 1902 on the banks of the river Periyar in Kerala.

The Department of Commerce(The Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has brought out the National Rubber Policy, 2019.
The National Rubber Policy includes several provisions to support the Natural Rubber (NR) production sector and the entire rubber industry value chain.
The Policy covers new planting and replanting of rubber, support for growers, processing and marketing of natural rubber, labour shortage, grower forums, external trade, Centre-State integrated strategies, research, training, rubber product manufacturing and export, climate change concerns and carbon market
National Rubber Policy is based on the short term and long term strategies identified by a Task Force constituted on the rubber sector for mitigating problems faced by rubber growers in the country.
Developmental and research activities for supporting the Natural Rubber sector for the welfare of growers are carried out through the Rubber Board by implementing the scheme Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector in the Medium Term Framework (MTF).
The developmental activities include financial and technical assistance for planting, supply of quality planting materials, support for grower forums, training and skill development programme.

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