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VKSA Campaign Introduces Gene-Edited Rice and Subsidizes Farm Transport

Over 16,000 scientists have been mobilized nationwide to deliver sustainable farming techniques directly to farmers.

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Overview

  • Two gene-edited rice varieties, Kamala and Pusa DST Rice1, have been released with potential productivity gains of 30% and 20% respectively, along with drought tolerance and reduced methane emissions.
  • The government will fund transportation of agricultural produce under the Market Intervention Scheme to ensure farmers receive fair prices.
  • Farmers have raised alarms over substandard pesticides and seeds and are pressing for tougher regulations to curb fraud and protect their livelihoods.
  • Under the Lab to Land initiative, 2,170 teams of more than 16,000 scientists have reached over 65,000 villages in 723 districts to share region-specific research and gather field feedback.
  • After the campaign concludes on June 12, states will appoint nodal officers to compile regional insights and craft a comprehensive roadmap for modernized agriculture.