Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Attend the Inaugural Ceremony of Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela 2025 at ICAR-IARI

IARI Advances Climate-Resilient and Nutrient-Rich Crop Development

Recognizing the increasing challenges posed by climate risks and the need for enhanced nutrition, IARI’s research program has prioritized the development of climate-resilient crop varieties and bio-fortified cultivars with improved nutrient profiles and higher productivity. In 2024, the institute released 27 new crop cultivars across 10 different crops, including:

• 7 bread wheat varieties
• 3 rice varieties
• 8 maize hybrids
• 1 pearl millet hybrid
• 2 chickpea cultivars
• 1 pigeon pea hybrid
• 3 mung bean varieties
• 1 lentil variety
• 2 double zero mustard varieties
• 1 soybean variety

Among these, 16 are pure-line varieties, while 11 are hybrids.

Breakthroughs in Basmati Rice Development

IARI has played a crucial role in enhancing Basmati rice production and exports by introducing superior varieties. Key Basmati rice cultivars, including Pusa Basmati 1718, Pusa Basmati 1692, and Pusa Basmati 1509, along with disease-resistant varieties PB 1847, PB 1885, and PB 1886, account for nearly 90% of India’s 5.2 million-ton Basmati exports, which generated ₹48,389 crores in revenue in 2023-24. From April to November 2024, Basmati rice exports have already earned ₹31,488 crores.

Additionally, two short-duration non-Basmati rice varieties, Pusa 1824 and Pusa 2090, have been introduced to facilitate timely post-harvest operations. Pusa RH 60, a high-yielding, aromatic rice hybrid with long, slender grains, is particularly suitable for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Pusa Narendra KN1 and Pusa CRD KN2 are improved Kalanamak rice varieties, featuring better disease resistance and higher yields, recommended for Uttar Pradesh.

Biofortified Crop Varieties for Nutritional Security

IARI has also focused on enhancing nutritional security by developing eight biofortified cultivars, including:

• HI 1665 (bread wheat) and HI 8840 (durum wheat) – High in iron and zinc, suited for the central zone.
• Pusa Biofortified Maize Hybrid 5 – Enriched with α-tocopherol (21.60 ppm), provitamin A (6.22 ppm), lysine (4.93%), and tryptophan (1.01%).
• Pusa Biofortified Maize Hybrid-4 – Contains high levels of provitamin A, lysine, and tryptophan.
• Pusa Popcorn Hybrid-1 and Hybrid-2 – Feature high popping percentage and butterfly-type popped flakes, ideal for NWPZ and PZ zones.
• Pusa HM4 Male Sterile Baby Corn-2 – A male sterile-based hybrid, developed for NEPZ, PZ, and CWZ zones.

Mustard, Millet, and Pulses Innovations

Two double zero mustard varieties, Pusa Mustard 35 and Pusa Mustard 36, were released with low erucic acid and glucosinolate content, providing high yield under timely sown irrigated conditions in Zone-III (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan).

Pearl Millet Pusa 1801 (MH 2417) is a dual-purpose (grain and fodder) variety, biofortified with high iron (70 ppm) and zinc (57 ppm). It is resistant to multiple diseases and is best suited for Delhi NCR.

In pulses, Pusa Chickpea Vijay 10217 is a high-yielding, Fusarium wilt-resistant variety for irrigated conditions in Uttar Pradesh. Pusa 3057 chickpea offers high seed protein content (24.3%) and resistance to Fusarium wilt, collar rot, and dry root rot, with moderate resistance to pod borer.

For pigeon pea, Pusa Arhar Hybrid-5 delivers an average yield of 23.35 q/ha (with a potential of 25.46 q/ha) and is resistant to SMD, Phytophthora stem blight, Macrophomina blight, and Alternaria leaf spot, making it well-suited for Delhi NCR.

Advancing Crop Diversification and Sustainable Farming through Innovative Models and Technologies

To achieve economic and ecological benefits through crop diversification, ICAR-IARI has developed Integrated Farming System (IFS) models that maximize productivity and sustainability.

• A 1.0-hectare IFS model designed for small farmers integrates crops, dairy, fishery, duckery, biogas plants, fruit trees, and agroforestry. This model has the potential to generate ₹3,79,000 per hectare annually while creating 628 man-days of employment.
• A 0.4-hectare IFS model, suitable for marginal farmers, combines polyhouse farming, mushroom cultivation, and horticulture enterprises, yielding a net income of ₹1,75,650 per acre annually.

Promoting Horticulture-Based Crop Diversification

Horticultural diversification has proven profitable for farmers, significantly contributing to nutritional security. IARI has developed 268 improved vegetable varieties across 48 crops, including 41 hybrids and 227 varieties.

• Nutritionally enriched varieties include:

  • Carrot – Pusa Prateek, Pusa Rudhira, Pusa Asita
  • Okra – Pusa Lal Bhindi-1
  • Indian Bean – Pusa Lal Sem
  • Broccoli – Pusa Purple Broccoli-1
  • Spinach (Vitamin C-rich) – Pusa Vilayati Palak

• Disease-resistant varieties to reduce pesticide usage:

  • Pusa Bhindi-5 and DOH-1 (okra) – Resistant to yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) and enation leaf curl virus (ELCV).

• Newly released varieties include:

  • Brinjal – Six varieties and one hybrid
  • Onion – Three varieties
  • Cucumber – Two varieties and one hybrid
  • Indian Bean – Three varieties
  • Bitter Gourd – Three hybrids
  • Musk Melon – Two varieties and one hybrid
  • Guava – Pusa Aarushi (red pulp) and Pusa Pratiksha (white pulp) – soft-seeded varieties
  • Papaya – Pusa Peet – a semi-dwarf, gynodioecious variety
  • Marigold – Pusa Bahar
  • Gladiolus – Pusa Sinduri (suitable for West Bengal, Punjab, New Delhi, and Rajasthan)

Advancements in Seed Production and Nutrition-Based Food Products

• Seed production has quadrupled, increasing from 239.861 tons in 2018-19 to 975.478 tons in 2023-24.
• IARI has introduced nutrient-rich food products:
  • Divine Dough – A high-protein pearl millet flour enriched with resistant starch, fiber, iron, and zinc.
  • Pearly Loaf – A gluten-free, whole pearl millet-based bread premix, ideal for blood sugar management due to its low glycemic index (68-69%).

Innovative Agricultural Technologies for Sustainability

• ‘Speedy Seed Viability Kit’ – A rapid colorimetric test kit that determines seed viability within 1-4 hours.
• Pusa STFR Meter – A low-cost digital tool that analyzes 14 key soil parameters, including pH, organic carbon, macronutrients (N, P, K, S), micronutrients (B, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn), and lime/gypsum requirements.
• Pusa Decomposer – A microbial solution for managing crop residue, available in a water-soluble powder form. Application of 500g per acre aids in effective paddy straw decomposition.
• Farm Sun Fridge – An off-grid, battery-less, solar-powered refrigerated storage for preserving perishable farm produce.
• PUSA MeFly KIT & PUSA CueFly KIT – Ready-to-use kits for controlling fruit fly infestations in fruit and cucurbit vegetables.
• Point-of-care diagnostic kits – Developed for rapid detection of chilli leaf curl virus and mung bean yellow mosaic virus.
• Pusa Dhan Bakanae Parikshan Kit – Detects pathogens responsible for Bakanae disease in both seeds and soil.

Through these integrated farming models, horticultural advancements, and innovative technologies, IARI continues to drive sustainable agriculture, enhance nutritional security, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.