The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), including ICAR Institutes and State/Central Agricultural Universities (CAU/SAU) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has developed 2,900 location-specific improved crop varieties and hybrids between 2014 and 2024. Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, shared this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on March 11, 2025.
These varieties include 1,380 cereals, 412 oilseeds, 437 pulses, 376 fibre crops, 178 forage crops, 88 sugarcane, and 29 other crops. Among them, 2,661 are designed to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses, while 537 varieties have been developed specifically for extreme climate conditions using precision phenotyping tools.
Biofortification has been a significant focus, with 152 nutrient-rich varieties introduced across rice, wheat, maize, millets, oilseeds, pulses, and grain amaranth. In the horticulture sector, 819 new varieties have been released in the last decade, covering fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation crops, flowers, and medicinal plants. Nineteen of these varieties have also been biofortified to improve nutritional value.
To ensure that farmers benefit from these advancements, systematic efforts have been made to produce and distribute breeder and quality seeds. From Rabi 2024-25, breeder seed production has been planned, followed by Kharif 2025 for expedited seed delivery.
ICAR and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) have been directed to share breeder and stock seeds with major seed production agencies including National Seed Corporation Limited (NSCL), State Seed Corporations, Public Sector Undertakings, Private Sector Companies and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Additionally, farmers will be directly involved in seed production through the Farmers’ Participatory Seed Production Programme, accelerating the availability of high-quality seeds.
The government has also focused on spreading awareness about these improved crop varieties. Information is being disseminated through Doordarshan, All India Radio, print, electronic, and social media platforms. Additionally, frontline demonstrations conducted by ICAR institutions, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) help farmers understand and adopt these new cultivars. Under specific programs like the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and North East Himalaya (NEH) region initiatives, improved seeds are being provided to farmers.
To further strengthen seed availability, the government is implementing the Seed Village Programme under the Sub-Mission on Seed & Planting Material (SMSP). This initiative aims to supply climate-resilient, biofortified, and high-yielding seeds to farmers at the village level. Financial support is being provided to ensure the affordability of foundation and certified seeds.
Additionally, the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) has been launched to boost domestic oilseed production and achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These efforts collectively aim to empower farmers and ensure food security for the nation.
