Lok Sabha Question No. 2864 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Application of Atomic Energy Technologies in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Pushpendra Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2864 ANSWERED ON 17/12/2025

## APPLICATION OF ATOMIC ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 2864.  SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether any agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras or research institutions in  Uttar  Pradesh  have  been  identified  for  the  adoption  of  radiation-induced  crop improvement technologies and gamma-based bio-fertiliser/biocontrol innovations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  number  of  farmers  benefitting  from  Bhabha  Atomic  Research  Centre  (BARC) developed radiation-bred  crop  varieties,  State-wise  and  district-wise  particularly  for Uttar Pradesh along with the plans to expand adoption;
- (c) whether proposals are under consideration to establish additional food irradiation or medical sterilisation facilities in Uttar Pradesh beyond the existing units in Mathura and Lucknow and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  BARC  and  Board  of  Radiation  and Isotope  Technology  (BRIT)  technology  incubation  or  isotope  distribution  centre  in Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof and the timeline thereof; and
- (e) the  measures  taken  to  develop  skilled  manpower  in  Uttar  Pradesh  in  nuclear agriculture, radiopharmaceuticals and radiation-based healthcare?

## 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),  is  actively  involved  in  improvement  of  local  aromatic  rice landrace  'Kalanamak'  using  radiation  induced  mutation  breeding  in  collaboration with Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology (ANDUAT), Kumarganj,  Ayodhya.    Six  (6)  different  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVK's)  namely

Siddharthnagar,  Maharajganj,  Basti,  Gorakhpur  I  &  II  and  Balarampur  stations  are involved in the R&D work on Kalanamak rice improvement, which will benefit the farmers  in  Tarai  region  of  Uttar  Pradesh.  Ten  (10)  Regional  Adoptive  Testing  and Demonstration Stations (RATDS) of Uttar Pradesh state agriculture department have been identified for testing of radiation-improved mutant derivatives of rice in different zones of Uttar Pradesh. In addition, radiation-induced wheat and okra improvement program  is being carried out in collaboration with Rani Lakshmibai  Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU), Jhansi and ANDUAT, Ayodhya.  Further, Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur, also evaluates BARC-improved mutant lines  in  national  evaluation  trials  regularly.  Presently  yield  evaluation  trials  for mustard  and  wheat  crop  for  Uttar  Pradesh  state  in  collaboration  with  Banda University of Agriculture and Technology (BUAT), Banda, are underway. DAE/Board  of  Research  in  Nuclear  Sciences  (BRNS)  has  funded  ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur, for a research project on radiation-induced mutagenesis for improvement of disease resistance in lentil.

BARC groundnut variety, TG 37A has been evaluated and released for Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Mainpuri,  Uttar  Pradesh.  Trombay  Linseed  Variety  TL  99,  first  Indian  edible  oil variety  having  low  linolenic  acid  content,  having  high  seed  yield,  high  oil  yield developed by BARC, was released for commercial cultivation for the state of Uttar Pradesh.

- (b) Typically,  seeds  are  categorised  as  nucleus,  breeder,  foundation  and  certified  seeds during the various stages of commercial cultivation.

Seeds  of  Trombay  crop  varieties  are  supplied  to  farmers  of  different  states  in collaboration  with  respective  Agricultural  Universities.  10.0  kg  Nucleus  seed  of TL-99 was given to IIPR, Kanpur for seed production and popularisation. BARC has supplied breeder seed of groundnut varieties to various agencies for foundation and certified seed production.

Breeder seed of Trombay groundnut was supplied to seven districts of Uttar Pradesh to expend the adoption of BARC developed crop varieties.

- (c) Three such facilities have already been commissioned in private sector in the state of Uttar Pradesh and they are providing radiation processing services on demand basis. Proposal from Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority to set up one such facility for medical product sterilization is in primitive stages.
- (d) Presently, no proposal is under consideration in the Department.
- (e) Students  of  various  institutes  in  Uttar  Pradesh  undergo  research  project  work  at BARC, Mumbai in  different  aspects  of  nuclear  agriculture.  Based  on  the  common research interest, BARC is also in the process of formulating MoUs with Agriculture Universities  of  Uttar  Pradesh.  Further,  DAE/BRNS  has  funded  research  projects  in nuclear  agriculture  in  different  research  centres  located  in  the  state.  To  enhance awareness and understanding, lectures on the beneficial uses of radiation technologies were  delivered  to  students  and  faculties  of  Acharya  Narendra  Deva  University  of Agriculture & Technology (ANDUAT), Ayodhya, and public awareness programmes under  the  aegis  of  the  Indian  Nuclear  Society  were  conducted  at  four  premier institutions  in  Lucknow  on  different  aspects  of  nuclear  technology  for  agriculture, food, health and energy.

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