India’s Groundbreaking Invention Shakes the Food Industry: Genetically Modified Rice Variety Boosts Yield by 30%, Adding 4.5 Million Tons to Production

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has unveiled the world’s first two gene-edited rice varieties, marking a groundbreaking advancement in sustainable agriculture amid escalating climate change and food security challenges. Named DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, these varieties are poised to boost yields by 20–30%, shorten growth cycles, conserve irrigation water, and reduce methane emissions.

Speaking at the launch event, India’s Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that these climate-resilient, high-yielding rice varieties will lay the foundation for a “second green revolution” in the country. He urged ICAR to expedite regulatory approvals to swiftly deliver the seeds to farmers.

According to ICAR, scientists are currently pursuing intellectual property rights (IPR) for both varieties. Commercialization and large-scale production are anticipated within the next two years, pending regulatory clearance.

What sets these rice varieties apart is their use of gene-editing technology, particularly CRISPR-Cas. Unlike traditional genetically modified organisms (GMOs), gene editing enables precise, targeted modifications to a plant’s existing genes without introducing foreign DNA. This approach is increasingly recognized by the global scientific community as a safer, more sustainable solution for modern agriculture.

ICAR estimates that if these gene-edited rice varieties are cultivated across the recommended 5 million hectares, India’s rice production could increase by 4.5 million tons. The shortened growth period, approximately 20 days less, could save up to 7.5 billion cubic meters of irrigation water. Additionally, greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from rice paddies, could be reduced by around 20%.

Given that agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in major rice-producing nations like India, these figures hold substantial economic and environmental significance. ICAR notes that the success of these varieties paves the way for applying gene-editing technology to other crops, enhancing productivity, climate resilience, and product quality in line with the long-term goals of the “Viksit Bharat” national program.

In terms of cultivation, the Kamala variety is recommended for key rice-growing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The Pusa DST Rice 1 variety is also suitable for most of these regions.

ICAR revealed that the gene-editing research project for rice began in 2018. Two high-yielding, widely cultivated varieties, Samba Mahsuri (BPT5204) and MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu), were selected as the foundation for improvement. The final result is two new varieties that retain their inherent advantages while enhancing drought tolerance, yield, and climate adaptability.

India’s pioneering commercialization of gene-edited rice is expected to significantly impact the global agricultural market, particularly among major Asian rice exporters, as the race to enhance productivity and reduce emissions in rice production enters a new phase.