India has quietly stepped into a new chapter in agricultural science with the development of the world’s first rice varieties created through genome editing that do not incorporate any foreign DNA. Scientists from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, and the Indian Rice Research Institute, Hyderabad, have successfully developed two rice varieties that promise improved yields and climate resilience without the regulatory and public concerns often associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
These new varieties, named ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’ and ‘DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala)’, were officially released by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. At a public event, Chouhan described the initiative as an important step towards enhancing both agricultural output and environmental sustainability. “These new crops will not only enhance production but will also yield positive results in environmental terms. It will save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby lowering environmental pressure”. he said.
What Sets These Rice Varieties Apart?
Unlike GM crops, these rice varieties have not been altered using foreign DNA. Instead, they were developed using a modern plant-breeding approach known as genome editing—more specifically, the CRISPR-Cas9 system. This technology allows scientists to tweak native genes in the plant with a high degree of precision, leading to improvements such as greater tolerance to climate stress, shorter maturation periods, and reduced water needs.
Because these genome-edited crops do not involve gene transfers from other species, they are classified separately from traditional GMOs. This distinction means that the new rice varieties bypass many of the stringent regulations associated with genetically modified food crops, including the biosafety restrictions that have long slowed the rollout of GM crops in India.
A Response to Pressing Agricultural Challenges
The release of these varieties comes at a time when Indian agriculture is grappling with multiple challenges: erratic rainfall, increasing temperatures, pressure on groundwater resources, and a growing population. These new rice strains are being positioned as one response to these pressures.
ICAR has estimated that if these varieties are cultivated across five million hectares—their recommended area—India could see an additional 4.5 million tons of paddy production. That’s not the only gain. Shorter crop durations mean less water is needed for irrigation—potentially saving about 7,500 million cubic meters of water. This saved water could be redirected to other critical crops like pulses and oilseeds, thereby helping diversify India’s agricultural output. The environmental benefits could be notable too. ICAR says greenhouse gas emissions may reduce by 20 percent in areas where these rice varieties are adopted, thanks to shorter growing periods and fewer irrigation cycles.
Listening to Farmers, Driving Research
Dr. ML Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Director General of ICAR, emphasized the need for research that responds directly to farmers’ experiences and requirements. He called this a “golden day for India’s agricultural research,” but he also pointed out that future work must involve ongoing dialogue with cultivators to ensure the usefulness of innovations on the ground. “Unless we ask farmers what they want, we may end up developing solutions that don’t meet their actual needs,” he noted.
Also Read: New Flood-Resistant Rice Variety Brings Hope to Farmers in Karaikal
The Long Road of Scientific Development
The effort to create these new rice strains began in earnest in 2018, when ICAR launched a genome editing research program under the National Agricultural Science Fund. Scientists selected two rice varieties—Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and (Cottondora Sannalu) MTU1010 —for editing. These are well-known across Indian farmlands for their popularity, yield potential, and grain quality, but both had limitations.
Samba Mahsuri, while renowned for its fine grain, was less tolerant to climate stress and took a long time to mature. MTU1010, though faster-growing, struggled under drought and soil salinity conditions. Genome editing allowed researchers to retain their core strengths while enhancing resistance to environmental stresses and boosting productivity.
Dr. Satendra K Mangrauthia from the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, one of the key contributors to the development, assured consumers about the continuity of quality. “They retain the same grain and cooking quality that makes Samba Mahsuri a consumer favourite,” he said.
Scientific and Regulatory Approval
Once the new varieties were developed, they underwent a review process by the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) of the respective ICAR institutes. The Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation approved their release on May 31, 2023, classifying them under the relaxed regulatory category of genome-edited crops (SDN1 and SDN2). These classifications mean the changes are essentially equivalent to those that could occur naturally or through conventional breeding.
Investing in the Future of Genome Editing
The government’s support for this area of research is evident in the budget allocation of ₹500 crore under the 2023-24 plan for genome editing in agriculture. ICAR has also initiated genome editing programs in other crops, including pulses and oilseeds. The ultimate goal is to develop improved varieties across crop types to help India meet the twin goals of food security and environmental sustainability.
Genome editing’s promise lies not only in its speed and precision but also in its ability to bypass many of the controversies that surround GMOs. The use of SDN1 and SDN2 methods allows for the creation of varieties that mimic natural mutations without importing genes from other species.
A Global Nod to India’s Effort
The achievement has not gone unnoticed internationally. Professor Rajeev Varshney, an agricultural scientist and Director, Centre for Crop & Food Innovation, Murdoch University, Australia, commented, “I applaud India’s commitment to leveraging advanced biotechnological tools to enhance crop resilience, productivity, and sustainability, addressing the challenges posed by climate change and resource constraints with an ultimate objective to benefit its farmers.”
Dr. C. Viswanathan, the lead scientist from IARI, called the development “global history,” highlighting the unique place India now holds in the domain of modern crop breeding. Minister Shivraj Chouhan also introduced what he referred to as the “Minus 5 and Plus 10” strategy, aiming to reduce rice cultivation area by five million hectares while increasing production by ten million tons. This strategy, he said, could make room for growing other essential crops like pulses and oilseeds, thereby improving the country’s overall food basket.
There are still a few concerns to address, especially around Intellectual Property Rights linked to the technology used. However, officials have stated these are being looked into and will be resolved in due course. For now, the new rice varieties represent a cautious but determined step forward. They reflect how agricultural science in India is evolving—not just to grow more food, but to grow it in ways that are better suited to the changing climate and the needs of farmers.
