A new chapter in Indian farming
India has made a big discovery in farming with the creation of two new rice varieties. They are known as DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1.
These were made by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with the support of top scientific teams operating in Hyderabad and Delhi.
The release of these new varieties of rice will help farmers grow food more easily.
What is genome editing?
The new rice varieties were developed using a method called gene editing.
Gene editing is where precise changes are made to the plant's DNA. DNA is like a plan inside all living things, it tells them how to grow and develop.
Scientists used a tool called CRISPR-Cas9 to make these changes. This is like tiny scissors that cut and modify the plant's native genes.
Why is this rice better
These types of rice are better than regular rice in many ways:
- They grow 20 days faster
- They require less water and fertilizer
- They give more rice grains
- They produce less pollution gas (methane)
- This is good for farmers and also for the environment.
How does this discovery help
Normal rice requires years to get better. But with gene editing, it requires just two years. These new rice varieties are great for areas with less water or poor soil, like Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand. They can make farmers grow more food and save money.
Next Steps for Farmers
Farmers will receive the seeds once some final processes are done. In the future, this gene editing can help improve other crops like wheat and banana, too.
This new science could change Indian farming and help feed more people.
