Agartala, June 16, 2026: A major step towards strengthening rubber research and genetic conservation was marked with the inauguration of planting activities at the International Hevea Clone Museum, an advanced genetic resource repository, at Taranagar Farm under the Regional Research Station of the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), Agartala.

Apurba Roy, IAS, Secretary (Agriculture), Government of Tripura, formally inaugurated the planting programme. Dr. Debabrata Ray, Director, Rubber Research Institute of India, Anjan Sengupta, Joint Director, Directorate of Biotechnology, Government of Tripura, and N. Sali, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner, Zonal Office Agartala, were present on the occasion.

The museum has been established with elite rubber clones collected from countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Philippines, and Myanmar. It will serve as a centre for preservation, research, and demonstration of advanced genetic resources of Hevea brasiliensis.

During the programme, dignitaries planted selected Hevea clones from different countries, formally beginning the establishment of the museum. Officials highlighted that the initiative will support crop improvement programmes, genetic diversification, and sustainable development of the rubber sector in the region.