Lok Sabha Question No. 278 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: CROPS Experiment Module
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Darshan Singh Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 278

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 CROPS EXPERIMENT MODULE

## *278.   SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  research  is  being  conducted  by  the  Indian  Space Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  to  study  plant  growth,  seed germination and biological processes under microgravity and modified gravity  conditions  under  the  Compact  Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) experiment module;
- (b) if so, the major scientific objective of the experiment, types of crops/seeds used and the duration of the study;
- (c) whether the findings of the said experiment are proposed to be applied in climate change, agriculture with limited resources, space agriculture and future long-term human space missions and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government aims to link earth-based agricultural research  with  practical  benefits  related  to  crop  productivity, development  of  stress-tolerant varieties and  seed  quality improvement through the said experiment and if so, the details thereof; and

O.I.H.

- (e) whether  participation  of  the  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural Research  (ICAR),  Universities  and  other  research  institutes has been ensured in the said project?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  278  REGARDING  'CROPS  EXPERIMENT MODULE'  ASKED  BY  SHRI  DARSHAN  SINGH  CHOUDHARY  FOR

ANSWERING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026.

- (a) Yes.  A  technology  demonstration  payload  called  as  Compact Research Module for Orbital  Plant  Studies  (CROPS)  as  part  of PSLV  Orbital  Experimental  Module  (POEM-4),  in  the  PSLV-C60 mission  was  launched  on  December  30,  2024,  to  study  plant growth and biological processes under micro-gravity conditions, wherein germination of seeds was achieved under microgravity conditions.
- (b) The main objective of the CROPS payload was to demonstrate germination  of  a  seed  and  growth  of  plant  up  to  two  leaves stage in space for 5 to 7 days. Cowpea seeds were selected for the study.
- (c) Yes,  the  findings  from  the  CROPS  (Compact  Research  Module for Orbital Plant Studies) experiment are proposed to be applied primarily in space agriculture and future long-term human space missions,  with  potential  indirect  benefits  for  agriculture  in resource-limited  environments  on  Earth.  However,  there  is  no direct  emphasis  on  applications  to  climate  change.  Growing plants from seed in space under microgravity conditions is an important  milestone  for  space  biological  research,  to  produce food in space and as an engaging activity for the astronauts in space during long duration manned missions. CROPS experiment is the first of many innovative steps that has been taken up and continued research & development activities are essential to overcome the challenges in space agriculture and producing sustainable food sources for long duration missions.

Experiments like CROPS are significant for carrying out technology demonstrations related to development of sustainable  systems  for  future  long-duration  human  space missions.  Space-based  plant  growth  systems  can  supplement packaged food and enhance self-sufficiency. Developing technologies  and  processes  for  reliable  plant  growth  modules under  microgravity  condition  contributes  for  the  long  duration human space missions.

- (d) CROPS is a preliminary experiment carried out to demonstrate germination  of  a  cowpea  seed  and  growth  of  plant  up  to  two leaves stage in space. Further research needs to be carried out for gaining valuable insights towards practical benefits.
- (e) It may be noted that the CROPS experiment, was developed by ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which demonstrated seed germination (cowpea) and early plant growth in microgravity as a step toward space agriculture for long-duration human space missions. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), or any other agricultural research institutes/ universities have not directly participated or involved in  the  experiment.  However,  the  data  from  the  experiment  is available to these institutes for further studies.

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