The Indian government has set an ambitious goal for the upcoming kharif season, aiming to cover 25% of the kharif paddy area with climate-resistant seeds in 2024. This initiative is a continuation of the successful strategy implemented during the recent wheat harvest, where an impressive 75% of the wheat area utilized these innovative seed varieties.
In the 2024-25 marketing season, India witnessed a remarkable achievement in wheat production, reaching approximately 113 million tonnes. This record yield can be largely attributed to the widespread adoption of climate-resistant varieties, demonstrating the considerable advantages these seeds can offer for paddy cultivation as well.
Climate-resistant paddy seed varieties are specifically engineered to endure various environmental stressors, including drought, prolonged lodging, and submersion. These characteristics provide enhanced resilience against the adverse effects of climate change. In the year 2023, around 16% of the kharif paddy area was cultivated with these robust seed varieties.
Research indicates that climate change poses a significant threat to rice yields in India, with projections suggesting a potential reduction of 3-5% under a medium-emission scenario, escalating to as much as 31.3% by 2030 under high emissions. As the world's second-largest rice producer, India cultivates paddy across 41 million hectares during the kharif season, making these challenges particularly pressing.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is actively pursuing an ambitious plan aimed at releasing 100 new seed varieties and 100 technologies within a span of 100 days. This initiative is designed to bolster the agricultural sector by emphasizing the development of climate-resilient and bio-fortified seed varieties, alongside the introduction of advanced farming technologies.
With a dedicated team of 5,521 scientists, ICAR is focused on creating new seed varieties for a range of crops, including rice, wheat, and various horticultural products. The technologies being developed encompass improvements in water management, mechanization, and plant protection strategies.
In addition to its innovative research, ICAR plans to broaden its oilseeds hub program across 174 districts and establish model village hubs for pulse seeds in 130 districts. This expansion aims to further enhance India's agricultural resilience and productivity.
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