The varieties are suited for diverse agro-climatic zones across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
In a landmark development poised to reshape the future of agriculture, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced the successful creation of the world’s first genome-edited rice varieties developed indigenously in India. The announcement was made at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium at the NASC Complex, New Delhi, in the presence of eminent scientists, agricultural researchers, and farmers.
The newly introduced rice varieties, DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1, have been developed using advanced CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technology, making India the first country globally to achieve such a feat in rice cultivation. These varieties promise to revolutionise rice farming by enhancing yields, improving climate resilience, and conserving critical water resources.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has achieved a historic milestone in scientific research,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the event. “This is a golden opportunity for the agriculture sector. These new varieties will play a leading role in heralding the second Green Revolution.”
Game-Changing Innovations in Rice Farming
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) spearheaded the development of these rice varieties under a genome-editing program launched in 2018, supported by the National Agricultural Science Fund. The initiative focused on improving two staple rice varieties—Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010—through targeted gene editing, without incorporating any foreign DNA.
The DRR Rice 100 (Kamla), developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) in Hyderabad, is based on Samba Mahsuri. It boasts early maturity—maturing in just 130 days, roughly 20 days earlier than its predecessor. This early maturity significantly reduces the use of water and fertilisers and minimises methane emissions. In addition, its sturdy stalk prevents lodging, and the grain quality remains comparable to the original variety.
On the other hand, Pusa DST Rice 1, developed by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) in New Delhi, is built upon MTU 1010. It has demonstrated yield increases ranging from 9.66 per cent to 30.4 per cent in saline and alkaline soils, with a potential 20 per cent rise in production. It also displays enhanced tolerance to adverse climatic conditions like drought and soil salinity.
The varieties are suited for diverse agro-climatic zones across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Besides increasing productivity, these genome-edited varieties bring significant environmental advantages. According to ICAR estimates, their large-scale adoption could lead to:
- 19 per cent increase in rice yield
- 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Conservation of 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water
“This achievement is not just about agricultural output. It’s about environmental conservation and sustainable development,” emphasised Chouhan. “It is a classic example of achieving increased production alongside environmental preservation.”
A Vision for a Food-Secure Future
The Minister reiterated the government’s broader vision for making India the food basket of the world, noting that the country already exports ₹48,000 crore worth of Basmati rice annually. He introduced the “Minus 5 and Plus 10” formula—aiming to reduce the area under rice cultivation by 5 million hectares while increasing rice production by 10 million tonnes through high-efficiency varieties like the genome-edited ones. This would free up arable land for expanding the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, boosting nutritional diversity and reducing import dependency.
Chouhan called upon young farmers to embrace scientific farming methods and bridge the gap between research and practice. “When agricultural scientists and farmers come together, miracles will happen,” he said.
Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, along with other key officials including Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, and Dr. C.H. Srinivas Rao, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the scientific and practical implications of the new varieties.
Support for Future Research
The Indian government has strongly backed genome-editing research in agriculture. In the 2023-24 Union Budget, ₹500 crore was earmarked to support genetic innovation in crops. ICAR is now expanding its genome-editing initiatives to include oilseeds and pulses, aligning with national goals of self-reliance and sustainable food systems.
Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, underscored the need for demand-driven research that incorporates direct feedback from farmers. This, he noted, would ensure that scientific advancements remain practical and beneficial at the grassroots level.
Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, DA&FW, also acknowledged the strategic importance of these developments, calling them potential game-changers for the Indian agriculture sector.
A Global First with Local Impact
This milestone not only marks a major leap for India in agricultural biotechnology but also positions the country as a global leader in sustainable farming innovation. As the world grapples with food security, climate change, and resource constraints, India’s pioneering work in genome-edited rice offers a replicable model for countries facing similar agricultural challenges.
“Today’s achievement will be written in golden letters,” Chouhan declared. “It is a proud moment for Indian science, for Indian farmers, and for the future of our planet.”
