NewKerala.com

Key Points

India has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in agricultural science by developing the world's first genome-edited rice varieties. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the creation of two innovative rice strains that promise higher yields and environmental sustainability. These new varieties, developed using CRISPR-Cas technology, represent a significant leap in addressing agricultural challenges and food security. The breakthrough aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of modernizing Indian agriculture and positioning the country as a global food basket.

Key Points: Shivraj Chouhan Reveals India's First Genome-Edited Rice Breakthrough

  • India develops world's first genome-edited rice varieties through CRISPR technology
  • New rice strains promise enhanced production and environmental benefits
  • Minister outlines "Minus 5 and Plus 10" agricultural transformation strategy
2 min read

India first country to develop genome-edited rice varieties: Minister

India pioneers genome-edited rice varieties, promising higher yields, water conservation, and climate adaptability under Modi's agricultural vision

"When agricultural scientists and farmers come together, miracles will happen - Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

New Delhi, May 4

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday announced the development of two genome-edited rice varieties in India, thus becoming the first country in the world to achieve this feat.

This marks a new beginning in the field of scientific research and innovation. The development of these new crops will not only enhance production but will also yield positive results in environmental terms. It will save irrigation water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby lowering environmental pressure.

Addressing the gathering at an event here, Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “India’s vision for a developed nation is being realised, and farmers are moving towards prosperity. Today’s achievement will be written in golden letters”.

“During the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, PM Modi had called upon farmers to adopt modern techniques to overcome agricultural challenges. Inspired by his words, ICAR scientists have made exceptional achievements in the field of agriculture with the creation of these new varieties,” the minister said.

Chouhan emphasised that in the coming times, there is a need for ensuring food security, increasing nutritious production, and providing food for both India and the world, while making India the food basket of the world.

He stated, "We are proud that our efforts have led to the export of 48,000 crore worth of Basmati rice annually."

The minister also urged the need to take further steps to increase production of soybean, arhar, tur, lentils, urad, oilseeds, and pulses.

Chouhan also introduced the "Minus 5 and Plus 10" formula, explaining that it involves reducing the area of rice cultivation by 5 million hectares while increasing rice production by 10 million tons in the same area. This would free up space for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

He urged the farmers, especially the young farmers, to adopt advanced farming techniques. Chouhan said, "We need to take agricultural research to the farmers. When agricultural scientists and farmers come together, miracles will happen."

ICAR has developed India’s first genome-edited rice varieties – DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1. These varieties have the potential to bring about revolutionary changes in terms of higher production, climate adaptability, and water conservation.

These new varieties were developed using genome-editing technology based on CRISPR-Cas, which makes precise changes in the organism's genetic material without adding foreign DNA.

—IANS

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is a proud moment for Indian agriculture! 🇮🇳 Genome-edited rice will help our farmers combat climate challenges while increasing yields. Hope these benefits reach small farmers quickly and don't just remain lab achievements. The 'Minus 5 Plus 10' formula sounds promising too!
P
Priya M.
While the scientific achievement is commendable, I worry about long-term effects on soil health and biodiversity. We've seen issues with GM crops before. The government should ensure thorough testing before mass cultivation. Still, water conservation benefits are much needed in our rice-growing regions.
A
Amit S.
Jai Kisan! 👏 My uncle is a farmer in Punjab and water scarcity is his biggest worry. If these new varieties can reduce irrigation needs as claimed, it will be a game-changer. But implementation is key - hope the govt provides proper training and subsidies for adoption.
S
Sunita R.
Great to see India leading in agricultural innovation! But we must ensure these technologies don't create dependency on corporate seeds. The traditional knowledge of our farmers should be preserved alongside modern science. Balance is important.
V
Vikram J.
First time hearing about CRISPR-edited crops in India. The science sounds impressive but what about affordability? Most small farmers can't afford expensive seeds. Hope the government keeps these accessible to all, not just big agri-businesses.
N
Neha P.
As someone working in biotech, this is exciting! CRISPR is the future of agriculture. India's ICAR scientists deserve more recognition. But we need transparent labeling - consumers should know if they're eating genome-edited food. Informed choice is important.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50