ENA Sectors 2025-05-05 16:17:02 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, May 5 (KNN)</strong> In a historic move, India on Sunday released two genome-edited rice varieties &mdash; Kamala (DRR Dhan-100) and Pusa DST Rice 1 &mdash; marking a global first.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">These varieties are expected to boost per-hectare yields by up to 30 per cent and mature 15 20 days earlier than current options.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the new rice types will require less water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Unlike genetically modified crops, genome-edited varieties do not contain foreign genes, making them more acceptable and less regulated under Indian law.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">These seeds will take 4 5 years to reach farmers through the standard seed certification process, but we aim to accelerate that, Chouhan said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The varieties were developed through genome editing of two popular rice strains &mdash; Samba Mahsuri and MTU1010. The improved versions offer better stress tolerance, higher yields, and resilience to climate challenges, without compromising on grain quality.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Large-scale trials showed Kamala improved yields by 19 per cent over Samba Mahsuri, while Pusa DST Rice 1 showed up to 30 per cent higher yields depending on soil conditions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Initially, the seeds will be distributed through government-run agencies. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) began this work in 2018 and plans to apply for intellectual property rights for the new varieties.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Chouhan also announced a new outreach initiative where ICAR scientists will visit farms twice a year to bridge the gap between research labs and farmers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This breakthrough is part of a larger Rs 500 crore push to advance genome editing in Indian agriculture, with nearly 40 other crops currently under development.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 41979 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/india-launches-first-genome-edited-rice-varieties-with-promise-of-30-higher-yield 2025-05-05 16:17:02 knnindia.co.in