New Delhi, India – In a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties at the India Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on August 11, 2024.
The new crop varieties, developed by scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), are designed to be more resistant to climate change and offer higher yields, helping farmers to increase their incomes and improve food security.
During the event, the Prime Minister interacted with farmers and agricultural scientists, highlighting the importance of value addition in agriculture. He emphasized the role of new crop varieties in reducing farmers’ expenditure and their positive impact on the environment.
The 109 varieties include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops, covering a wide range of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants.
The Prime Minister also discussed the growing importance of millet and the shift towards more nutritious food choices, as well as the benefits of natural farming and the increasing public trust in organic farming practices.
In addition, the Prime Minister urged Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new crop varieties on a monthly basis, ensuring their widespread adoption.
The release of these new crop varieties marks a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural innovation and is expected to contribute to the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ incomes and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds.
The event also saw the Prime Minister holding an umbrella for farmers during a heavy downpour, demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of the agricultural community.
As India continues to face the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, the release of these new crop varieties is a step in the right direction, providing farmers with the tools they need to adapt and thrive in a changing world.
