Experts discussing ways to revive the sagging fortunes of Kerala’s plantation sector have suggested use of genetically modified (GM) plants to help the rubber sector at the Kerala Plantation Expo held in Kochi.
A Rubber Board scientist spoke of the need for GM rubber varieties to suit new-age demands and called for diversified inter-crops to boost income and add to biodiversity.
Rubber Board officials said GM plants had a great future and could be the answer to increasing yields in the face of drastic climatic variations. The State government has denied permission for trial runs in the State. But a field trial, under stringent conditions prescribed by the government, is on in Assam, where an acre is under GM rubber plants on Rubber Board land. These plants have been tweaked to increase their capacity to withstand severe weather conditions.
