DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla): India’s First Genome-Edited High-Yielding Paddy Variety
05 May 2025, New Delhi: India has taken a significant leap in agricultural biotechnology with the development of DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla), the country’s first genome-edited high-yielding rice variety. Developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad, this variety is based on the popular Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204) and marks a breakthrough in precision breeding using CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technology.
The development of DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla) aligns with India’s goals of increasing agricultural productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. It brings together high grain yield potential, early maturity, water efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) was created through genome editing by modifying SDN-1 and SDN-2 types of genes, which have been approved under India’s biosafety guidelines for general crops. Importantly, this method involves precise changes in the plant’s DNA without inserting foreign genetic material, making it different from GM crops.
This variety matures approximately 20 days earlier than traditional Samba Mahsuri, requiring only around 130 daysfrom sowing to harvest. Early maturity contributes significantly to water and fertilizer savings, reduces methane gas emissions, and enables the adoption of multiple cropping patterns, especially in water-stressed regions.
Agronomic performance trials have shown that DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla) increases rice yield by up to 19%, with stronger stalks that resist lodging, even under adverse weather conditions. The grain quality is comparable to the original Samba Mahsuri, meeting both consumer and market preferences.
Environmentally, the variety offers a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and can save up to 7,500 million cubic meters of irrigation water, making it a climate-smart solution for sustainable rice farming in India.
DRR Dhan 100 (Kamla) has been recommended for cultivation in the rice-growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala (Zone VII), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (Zone V), Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal (Zone III).
Also Read: Post-Harvest Field Management and Safe Grain Storage: Essential Practices for Farmers – IARI Advisory
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