India plans trials of gene-altered rubber

India, the largest natural-rubber user after China, plans to begin field trials of a genetically- modified variety as it seeks to overcome a shortage forecast by the industry to surge fivefold over the next decade.

The state-run Rubber Board will secure approvals from the states of Kerala and Maharashtra before planting 0.4 hectares, James Jacob, director of the Rubber Research Institute of India, said by e-mail. The trials were cleared last month by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, a panel set up by the environment ministry, he said.

Global carmakers led by Ford Motor Co. are building plants in Asia’s second-fastest growing major economy where car sales are projected by the government to double to 3 million by 2015. Bridgestone Corp. and its Indian rivals are spending $3 billion on new capacities to meet demand forecast by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association to expand 10 per cent to 106 million tyres in the year to March 31.

“Every country in the world needs natural rubber, a vital and strategic industrial raw material like iron and coal,” said Jacob. “Domestic requirement of rubber will increase as our GDP increases, and indications are that there will not be enough.”

Gene-altered rubber trees will be resistant to drought and tapping panel dryness, and have the ability to produce higher yields even under adverse weather conditions, said Jacob.

Prices in Tokyo, Thailand and China have climbed to records this year after persistent rain in the producing nations lowered output. In India, prices surpassed Rs 200 a kg last month for the first time.