Regular Update
New Delhi: Recently, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, unveiled 184 new crop varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the NASC Complex. Scientists, officials, and agricultural experts were present at the event.
During the event, Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned that India has achieved great success in preparing high-yielding seeds. Since 1969, India has approved 7,205 crop varieties, including 3,236 new varieties in the last 11-12 years.
These new varieties are capable of producing crops even with less water, growing well in light soil, and having resistance to diseases. This will make it easier for farmers to deal with climate change and natural disasters.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said that India will now lead in producing nutritious food. This will help farmers get better prices, and people will get good and healthy food.
During the event, the National Seed Corporation (NSC) handed over a dividend check of Rs. 33.26 crore to Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Key features of the new varieties:
- Rice varieties: 60 new varieties
- Maize varieties: 50 new varieties
- Sorghum, millet, and pearl millet varieties: new varieties
- Pulses and oilseed varieties: 19 new varieties
- Cotton, sugarcane, and jute varieties: new varieties
All these varieties have been developed by ICAR scientists considering different climates, soils, and farming methods. These new varieties will be available to farmers within three years.
