India, Feb. 4 -- 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...