PM Modi Unveils 109 Climate-Resilient, High-Yielding Crop Varieties at Agricultural Research Institute

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties at the India Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. The release includes 61 different crops, comprising 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops, aimed at boosting productivity, reducing costs, and promoting sustainable farming practices across the country.

During the event, Prime Minister Modi engaged with farmers and scientists, emphasizing the importance of value addition in agriculture. He highlighted the need for greater awareness about these new crop varieties, which are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and are rich in essential nutrients. Farmers expressed optimism that these varieties will help lower their costs and benefit the environment, particularly in the context of natural farming practices.

The Prime Minister also discussed the growing importance of millets and the shift towards more nutritious foods in India. He urged Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to play an active role in informing farmers about the benefits of these new varieties, suggesting that KVKs should engage with farmers regularly to enhance their understanding of the crops’ advantages.

The 109 crop varieties released include cereals like millets, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and other potential crops, as well as a wide range of horticultural products such as fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, tubers, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, also addressed the media, underscoring the significance of today’s event for Indian farmers. He noted that these new crop varieties will help farmers produce more, earn higher incomes, and reduce their expenses, even in challenging weather conditions. Chouhan highlighted that the seeds are nutritionally rich and aligned with the government’s efforts to promote sustainable and climate-friendly farming.

Chouhan assured that farmers will have access to seeds from all 109 crop varieties within three years, and emphasized that there is no longer a need to import exotic mango varieties, as Indian varieties are now more productive, aesthetically pleasing, and have better shelf life. He also confirmed that research is ongoing to ensure these crop varieties are suitable for natural farming.

In response to Prime Minister Modi’s suggestion, the Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to initiate a monthly program where experts from KVKs, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and state agricultural universities will interact with farmers to address contemporary agricultural challenges. This program will begin on the last Thursday of each month, focusing on mutual learning and problem-solving.

The event was also attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, along with 30 farmers from neighboring states and senior officials from ICAR, including Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Research & Education, and Director General of ICAR.