Overview

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed two genome-edited rice varieties, DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, marking India's first use of this technology for crop improvement.
• DRR Dhan 100, derived from Samba Mahsuri, matures 15–20 days earlier and yields 25% more per hectare, saving water and enabling multiple cropping cycles.
• Pusa DST Rice 1, developed from MTU1010, demonstrates superior resilience, producing 30% higher yields under salinity stress and 14% more in alkaline conditions.
• The new varieties conserve water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and are recommended for cultivation in major rice-growing states across India.
• Seed distribution through public and private channels is expected soon, with commercial cultivation projected within four to five years, potentially adding 4.5 million tonnes of paddy on 5 million hectares.