Lok Sabha Question No. 2917 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Nuclear Science for Agriculture and Food Preservation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Tatkare Sunil Dattatrey, Shri Shashank Mani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -2917 ANSWERED ON  17/12/2025

## NUCLEAR SCIENCE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRESERVATION

## 2917.   SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY SHRI SHASHANK MANI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government is using nuclear science and radiation-based technologies for the  development  of  new  crop  varieties  that  are  high-yielding,  climate-resilient  and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  and  types  of  crop  varieties  developed  through  nuclear  or  radiationinduced  mutagenesis  during  the  past  five  years  along  with  their  present  status  of cultivation;
- (c) whether  radiation-based  food-preservation  technologies,  including  irradiation,  coldchain innovations and isotope-based applications are being deployed to reduce postharvest  losses  and  improve  shelf  life  of  agricultural  produce  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  or  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  expand  such technologies to support farmers, strengthen food security and promote export-oriented value chains?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) a Constituent Unit of Department of Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  by  using  radiation  induced  mutagenesis  along  with  cross breeding, has developed 72 improved crop varieties in oilseeds (groundnut, mustard, soybean  and  sunflower),  pulses  (urdbean,  mungbean,  pigeonpea  and  cowpea),  rice, jute  and  banana,  which  have  been  released  and  notified  for  commercial  cultivation. These crop varieties have desirable traits such as high yield, early maturity, resistant

to  lodging,  biotic  &  abiotic  stress  tolerance  etc.  and  thus  benefiting  farmers  in  the country.

- (b) In  the  last  five  (5)  years  (i.e.  from  2020-2025),  by  employing  radiation-induced mutagenesis, DAE has developed and released a total of 23 varieties for cultivation by farmers. These include (a) 7 rice varieties, (b) 5 mustard varieties, (c) 3 black gram (urad)  varieties,  (d)  3  sorghum  (jowar)  varieties,  (e)  2  groundnut  varieties,  (f)  one mung bean variety, (g) one sesamum (til) variety and (h) one banana variety.

In  the  last  five  (5)  years,  a  total  1680  quintals  of  breeder  seeds  of  Trombay  crop varieties, including groundnut, mungbean, rice and mustard varieties, were produced for  distribution  to  seed  corporations/companies  and  farmers  for  multiplication  for cultivation by farmers.

The  estimated  quantity  of  seeds  available  to  farmers  for  cultivation  is  around 18,05,300 quintals.  These estimates are based on the expected multiplication ratios observed during production of foundation seeds from breeder seeds and subsequently, certified seeds from foundation seeds.

- (c) Yes, radiation-based food-preservation technologies involving irradiation, and subsequent cold storage, developed by BARC are being employed for extending the shelf life of perishable agriculture produce, mitigate post-harvest and storage losses of agriculture produce. Irradiation of grains and spices eliminates insects and microbes and  is  a  useful  method  of  chemical  free  preservation.  The  technology  is  being deployed to facilitate;
- i. Export of agriculture produce such as mangoes, pomegranates to countries like United  States  of  America  (USA),  Australia  etc.,  through  sea  route  in  an economical manner.
- ii. Shelf-life extension of spices, grains, vegetables, fruits, onions and potatoes.
- iii. Shelf-life extension processed food products.

Forty-one  (41)  food  irradiation  and  medical  product  sterilization  facilities  have already  been  commissioned in  private/State  Government  sectors  in  the  country  and they are providing radiation processing services on demand basis.

- (d) DAE  has  been  involved  in  the  use  of  radiations  and  radioisotopes  in  agriculture through continuous R&D programmes.  In field of nuclear agriculture, development and field trials of radiation induced improved crops are implemented in collaboration with various State Agricultural Universities, as well as research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

BARC developed radiation technologies not only extend shelf life and prevent post harvesting losses, but also helps India meet international quarantine requirements for perishable  commodities,  enabling  access  to  high-value  markets.  India  has  been exporting  mangoes  and  pomegranate  to  the  USA,  Australia,  South  Africa  and Malaysia using irradiation  as  a  mandatory  phytosanitary  treatment.  These  measures strengthen export-oriented value chains and boost incomes of farmers and traders.

BARC  is  involved  in  developing  comprehensive  Standard  Operating  Protocols (SOPs)  for  the  irradiation  of  agricultural  produce  to  achieve  shelf-life  extension, reduction of post-harvest losses, and improvement in marketability.

Overall, the Government's initiatives, including R&D collaborations, establishment of irradiation infrastructure, and promotion of export-oriented radiation processing, are helping to strengthen national food security, reduce wastage,  improve  farmer incomes, and enhance India's competitiveness in global agri -trade.

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