Rubber Board Chairman N Hari inaugurated the DUS Centre at Rubber Research Institute of India in the presence of Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan IRS. Dr. Siju T. (Rubber Production Commissioner), Dr. Debabrata Ray (Director, Rubber Research Institute of India) Mrs Priya Varma (Director, Training) and scientists & other officials of the Rubber Board were also present on the occasion.

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 (PPV&FRA Act, 2001) is an act enacted by the Government of India to protect plant varieties, rights of farmers & plant breeders and to develop new plant varieties including rubber. The Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) is functioning in New Delhi under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India for the implementation of this Act.

In accordance to the above Act, Rubber Research Institute of India formulated guidelines for conducting tests on Distinctiveness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) to facilitate the registration of new rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) clones. DUS testing guidelines for rubber clones was approved by PPV&FRA and it is in the process of being notified in the Gazette of India.

The Rubber Research Institute of India will serve as the Nodal DUS Centre for DUS testing of all new rubber clones developed in the country. All new rubber clones will be registered after completion of DUS testing procedure in accordance with the Gazette notified criteria.

The RRII DUS Centre will be a repository of reference collection consisting of more than 50 indigenous and exotic rubber clones. These reference clones will be used as check clones during testing of new rubber clones for the purpose of their registration under PPV&FRA Act, 2001.