New CRISPR-based crops promise high yield, climate resilience
NEW DELHI, 4 May 2025: In a ground breaking achievement for Indian agriculture, the country has become the first in the world to officially develop and introduce genome-edited rice varieties using CRISPR-Cas technology—a milestone hailed as the dawn of a second Green Revolution.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled two new rice varieties—DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1—at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi. Developed by ICAR under the National Agricultural Science Fund, these varieties promise up to 30% higher yields, enhanced drought tolerance, reduced greenhouse emissions, and significant water savings.
"Under PM Modi’s leadership, agriculture has entered a new scientific era. These new varieties will increase production while conserving the environment,” Chouhan said.
Revolutionary Traits: Water Saving, High Yield, Climate Fit
The DRR Rice 100 (Kamla), based on the Samba Mahsuri variety, matures 20 days earlier and saves over 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water, while reducing methane emissions by 20%. The Pusa DST Rice 1, derived from MTU 1010, boosts yield by up to 30.4% in saline and alkaline soils, ideal for multiple Indian agro-climatic zones.
“These crops are non-GMO, made through precision genome editing without introducing foreign DNA—ensuring faster regulatory acceptance,” explained Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Director, ICAR-IIRR.
Historic Step in Climate-Smart Agriculture
Genome editing offers solutions to India's mounting agricultural challenges—from erratic monsoons to depleting water tables. According to Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Agriculture Secretary, “This is a game-changing step toward sustainable food security and India’s rise as the food basket of the world.”
The new varieties align with India’s goal of reducing the rice cultivation area by 5 million hectares while increasing production by 10 million tonnes, freeing land for oilseeds and pulses.
Honouring India’s Agri Innovators
The event honored the scientific teams behind the innovation:
Pusa DST Rice 1: Dr. Vishwanathan C, Dr. Shivani Nagar, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, and others.
DRR Rice 100 (Kamla): Dr. R.M. Sundaram, Dr. S.V. Sai Prasad, and collaborators.
“These innovations show what’s possible when research is demand-driven and farmer-focused,” noted Dr. M.L. Jat, Director General, ICAR.
What’s Next for Indian Genome Research?
Backed by a ₹500 crore budget allocation for 2023–24, ICAR is already advancing genome editing in oilseeds, pulses, and other essential crops.
The varieties will soon be available in states including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, among others.
“When scientists and farmers come together, miracles happen,” said Chouhan, urging India’s young farmers to adopt precision farming and be part of a sustainable agri-future.
