22 March 2025, New Delhi: Over the past decade (2014-2024), India’s National Agricultural Research System (NARS), including ICAR Institutes and State/Central Agricultural Universities (CAU/SAU), has developed 2,900 improved field crop varieties and hybrids. These include cereals (1,380), oilseeds (412), pulses (437), fibre crops (376), forage crops (178), sugarcane (88), and other crops (29). Notably, 2,661 of these varieties are designed to withstand pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions, making them highly beneficial for farmers facing climate uncertainties.
Additionally, 537 of these varieties are specifically developed to tackle extreme climatic challenges using advanced precision phenotyping tools. Farmers can also access 152 biofortified varieties of essential crops like rice, wheat, maize, millets, oilseeds, pulses, and grain amaranth, which provide enhanced nutritional value.
Horticultural crops have not been left behind, with 819 new varieties introduced, including spices, tubers, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants. These varieties aim to boost both productivity and profitability for farmers.
To ensure the timely availability of these improved seeds, breeder seed production is planned for the Rabi 2024-25 and Kharif 2025 seasons. ICAR and other institutions are collaborating with agencies like the National Seed Corporation, State Seed Corporations, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to quickly multiply and distribute the seeds to farmers. Additionally, the Farmers’ Participatory Seed Production Programme is helping farmers actively participate in the seed production process for faster multiplication.
Efforts to create awareness among farmers include frontline demonstrations by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and campaigns through Doordarshan, All India Radio, and digital platforms. Under the Seed Village Programme of the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission, farmers can access high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified seeds at subsidized rates — 50% for cereals and 60% for oilseeds, fodder, and green manure crops.
Furthermore, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) aims to make India self-reliant in edible oil production by 2030-31. The mission provides support for seed distribution, training, field demonstrations, and infrastructure development. Farmers involved in this mission can access seeds, training, and post-harvest infrastructure at subsidized rates.
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