India achieves historic milestone by developing genome-edited rice

India has made a significant advancement in agricultural technology by becoming the first country to develop genome-edited rice varieties. This breakthrough was announced by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during an event held in New Delhi. The two new rice varieties, DRR Rice 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, were developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and are expected to bring substantial improvements in crop yields while also enhancing climate resilience and reducing water usage. The development began in 2018 under the National Agricultural Science Fund, focusing on improving two widely-cultivated rice varieties, Samba Mahsuri and MTU 1010. The result is two advanced rice types that not only promise increased yields but also strive to minimize the environmental impact by conserving water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, establishing a step toward sustainable agriculture. The varieties are projected to provide a 19% increase in yield, alongside a notable 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation of around 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water. The rice matures in approximately 130 days, which is 20 days earlier than the traditional varieties, thus saving water and fertilizers while also reducing methane emissions. Chouhan emphasized the importance of these new rice varieties, stating that they will free up land for pulses and oilseeds that are essential for ensuring nutritional security and reducing import dependency. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of modernizing farming practices in India to combat the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and improve the lives and incomes of farmers. The announcement has been welcomed by agricultural experts and scientists, including Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava and Dr. R.M. Sundaram, who contributed to these developments. They noted that the new varieties not only aim to feed the growing population in India but are also positioned to set global standards in agricultural innovation. The states targeted for these varieties include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Chouhan expressed confidence that this achievement represents a significant leap toward realizing the Prime Minister's goal of doubling farmers' income. This announcement represents a culmination of efforts put in over several years by the ICAR and is considered a pioneering effort in sustainable agriculture practices. The favorable attributes of these rice varieties, such as improved durability and grain quality, signal a future where farmers can better adapt to changing climatic conditions. The initiative is seen not merely as a technological advancement but as an essential step towards achieving a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat), catering to the nutritional needs of the population and strengthening food security efforts.