In the context of Indian agriculture, what does the term “Landraces” refer to?
(a) Genetically engineered crop varieties developed in laboratories
(b) Traditional and genetically diverse crop varieties that have evolved through generations of farmer-led cultivation and selection
(c) High-yield hybrid seeds created by agricultural research institutions
(d) Uniform commercial crops cultivated primarily for export purposes

Question

In the context of Indian agriculture, what does the term &ldquo;Landraces&rdquo; refer to?
(a) Genetically engineered crop varieties developed in laboratories
(b) Traditional and genetically diverse crop varieties that have evolved through generations of farmer-led cultivation and selection
(c) High-yield hybrid seeds created by agricultural research institutions
(d) Uniform commercial crops cultivated primarily for export purposes

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Recently, the Government of Odisha has launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to integrate traditional seed varieties, known as &lsquo;Landraces&rsquo;, into formal seed systems under the &lsquo;Shree Anna Abhiyan&rsquo; of the state.
Landraces are traditional farmers&rsquo; varieties that evolved through natural adaptation and human selection. They are genetically diverse, climate-resilient, pest-tolerant, and suited to local soils, unlike hybrids or GM crops.

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E Question 1	⏱ 0
In the context of Indian agriculture, what does the term “Landraces” refer to? (a) Genetically engineered crop varieties developed in laboratories (b) Traditional and genetically diverse crop varieties that have evolved through generations of farmer-led cultivation and selection (c) High-yield hybrid seeds created by agricultural research institutions (d) Uniform commercial crops cultivated primarily for export purposes