Lok Sabha Question No. 120 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: New Crop Varieties Developed by ICAR
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO: 120

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd  DECEMBER, 2024

## NEW CROP VARIETIES DEVELOPED BY ICAR

- *120.  SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  has  developed certain new crop varieties with special traits in the recent past, if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of steps taken by the Government to address the twin challenges of climate change and malnutrition while developing these new crop varieties; and (c) the time by which the new crop varieties will be made available to farmers for

- cultivation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि और षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

## STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 120 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2024 REGARDING 'NEW CROP VARIETIES DEVELOPED BY ICAR'

(a) to (c): Since  January,  2024,  National  Agricultural  Research  System  (NARS) including ICAR Institutes and State/Central Agricultural Universities (CAU/SAU) under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 524 new varieties/hybrids of field crops and 167 of horticultural crops. The field crop varieties include 246 of cereals [Rice (126), Wheat (22), Maize (51), Sorghum (12), Pearl millet (13), Small millets (21), Barley (1)]; 55 of Oilseeds [Indian mustard (8), Yellow sarson (2), Groundnut (8), Soybean (12), Linseed (9), Safflower (4), Sesame (5),  Sunflower (3), Niger (2) and Castor (2)]; 69 of Pulses [Chickpea (19), Pigeonpea (4), Lentil (7), Fieldpea (6), Urdbean (6), Mungbean (15), Cowpea (3), Lathyrus (2), Mothbean (2), Rajmash (1), Cluster bean (1), Horsegram (1), Faba bean (1) and Indian bean (1)]; 109  of  Commercial  crops  [Cotton  (89),  Jute  (5),  Mesta  (1),  Sugarcane  (12)  and Tobacco (2)]; 24 of Forage crops [Forage pearl millet (5), Forage maize (6), Forage sorghum  (13)]  and  11  of  Potential  crops    [Grain  amaranth  (7),  Winged  bean  (2), Kalingda (1), Asalio (1)]. The horticultural crop varieties include Perennial spices (19), Seed spices (8), Potato & tropical tuber crops (8), Plantation crops (6), Fruits crops (40), Vegetable crops (70) and Flowers & other ornamental plants (16). Out of these 109 trait specific varieties of 34 field and 27 horticultural crops were dedicated to the Nation by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 11 August, 2024.

While  developing  these  varieties,  focus  was  given  on  adaptation  to  climate change  and  improved  nutrition  quality traits, as a result 455  varieties  have tolerance/resistance to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses; amongst them 92 varieties  have  been  bred  for  extreme  resilience  against  abiotic  stresses  (rainfed, drought, flood, water logging, terminal heat, low temperature, salinity, low phosphorus) and 32 varieties are biofortified with improved nutritional qualities.

After  release  and  notification  of  a  variety,  breeder  seed  is  produced  by  the developing organizations as per the indents received from various public and private sector seed producing agencies, which is supplied to these agencies for downstream multiplication of foundation and certified seeds in subsequent seasons. This process takes about three years, and Department tries its best to take their seeds to farmers field in minimum time after release.

*******