Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a significant milestone for India on Sunday, unveiling the development of two genome-edited rice varieties, making the nation the first in the world to achieve this groundbreaking feat. This advancement signifies a new era in agricultural science and innovation, promising not only to boost production but also to yield notable environmental benefits. The new varieties are expected to conserve irrigation water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby alleviating environmental pressures.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Chouhan emphasized the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “India’s aspiration for a developed nation is coming to fruition, uplifting farmers towards prosperity. Today’s achievement will be etched in golden letters in our agricultural history.” He recalled Modi’s call during the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ for farmers to embrace modern practices to tackle agricultural challenges. Inspired by this vision, scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have made remarkable strides in creating these innovative rice varieties.
Chouhan highlighted the urgent need for food security and increased nutritious production, aiming to position India as the global food basket. “We take pride in exporting Basmati rice worth ₹48,000 crores annually,” he noted. The minister advocated for enhancing the production of key crops such as soybean, arhar, tur, lentils, urad, oilseeds, and pulses, underscoring a comprehensive approach to agricultural development.
Introducing a new strategy dubbed the “Minus 5 and Plus 10” formula, Chouhan explained that it involves reducing rice cultivation area by 5 million hectares while simultaneously increasing production by 10 million tons. This initiative aims to free up land for the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, thus diversifying agricultural outputs. He urged young farmers to adopt advanced farming techniques, asserting, “When agricultural scientists and farmers collaborate, remarkable innovations will emerge.”
The newly developed genome-edited rice varieties, named DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1, are anticipated to bring transformative changes in agricultural productivity, climate adaptability, and water conservation. Utilizing CRISPR-Cas technology, these varieties allow for precise modifications in genetic material without the introduction of foreign DNA, marking a significant leap in agricultural biotechnology.
This pioneering effort reflects India’s commitment to harnessing scientific advancements to address pressing agricultural challenges and enhance sustainability. The development of genome-edited rice not only positions India at the forefront of agricultural innovation but also offers a hopeful vision for the future of farming, with implications for food security and environmental stewardship on a global scale.
As India embarks on this transformative agricultural journey, the emphasis remains on empowering farmers and encouraging the adoption of modern techniques, vital for both national progress and global food supply.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/india-first-country-to-develop-genome-edited-rice-varieties-minister
Category : India
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Publish Date: 2025-05-04 23:09:00
