Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has sought to allay the apprehensions raised by the Kerala government about his decision to allow field trials of genetically modified rubber in the state. [...] the minister has argued that field trials are important for the extension of natural rubber cultivation to non-traditional areas like Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and North Konkan. Ramesh has argued that the GM approach has become necessary as the challenge of climate change has already resulted in longer dry periods for rubber cultivation.