Recently, the Prime Minister introduced 109 new seed varieties that are high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified.

These seeds were developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and aim to improve farm productivity and increase farmers’ income.

Diverse Crop Coverage

The 109 seed varieties span across 61 crops. 

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• Promotion of Biofortified Crops:
  • Government has consistently promoted biofortified crop varieties, linking them to government initiatives like the Mid-Day Meal scheme and Anganwadi services.
    • These initiatives aim to combat malnutrition in India by providing more nutritious food options through agriculture.

About Biofortified crops

• These are modified crops. 
• It has specific traits that are not possible in conventional breeding.

What is Biofortification?

• Biofortification is the process of improving the nutritional content of food crops. 
  • This is done to increase the levels of essential vitamins and minerals in the crops.
• Biofortification primarily targets staple crops like rice to provide essential micronutrients, especially to populations with limited access to diverse diets.
• Methods of Biofortification:
  • Agronomic Practices: Using specific farming techniques to enhance nutrient content in crops.
  • Conventional Breeding: Selecting and crossbreeding plants with high nutrient levels to produce more nutritious crop varieties.
  • Biotechnology Approaches: Advanced methods like genetic engineering and genome editing are used to directly modify the genetic makeup of crops for better nutrition.

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Disadvantages of Biofortification

• High cost: Developing biofortified crops requires high research and investment in biotechnology. 
• Limited availability: Biofortified crops are not widely available in all regions which limits its benefits. 
• Reduction in Genetic diversity: Biofortified varieties are often chosen  for specific traits such as improved nutrition which can lead to widespread use of this variety. 
  • This practice can reduce genetic diversity within crop populations.
• Ecosystem disruption: Biofortified crops when crossbreed with non biofortified crops can create hybrid plants that may have unpredictable ecological impacts. 

Benefits for Farmers from High-Yielding Seed Varieties

• Increased Crop Productivity: High-yielding seed varieties lead to greater crop production per hectare, enabling farmers to harvest more from the same land area.
• Enhanced Income: Higher productivity translates to increased marketable surplus, allowing farmers to sell more produce and generate higher income.
• Cost Efficiency: Improved seed varieties often require fewer inputs such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides, reducing overall cultivation costs.
• Market Competitiveness: Farmers with access to superior seed varieties can produce better quality crops, giving them a competitive edge in the market and potentially fetching better prices.
• Resilience to Climate Change: Climate-resilient seed varieties reduce the risk of crop failure due to adverse weather conditions, ensuring more stable and predictable income for farmers.
• Long-term Sustainability: The use of biofortified and climate-resilient seeds contributes to sustainable farming practices, securing the economic future of farmers through consistent yields and reduced dependency on external inputs.

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