Strengthening Food Security in India with Sustainable Crop Varieties

 

Researchers at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have introduced 109 new crop varieties across 61 categories. These advanced crops are specifically designed to tackle major agricultural challenges by boosting productivity, adapting to climate changes, and enhancing nutritional value. The key aims of this initiative are to improve food security, diversify crop production, and address critical nutritional needs in India.

With climate change increasingly affecting global agriculture, concerns about potential food shortages are growing. Thishas led to intensified efforts to develop strategies that protect crop production, enhance crop quality, and maintain stable yields despite environmental shifts.

The new crop varieties include:

• Field Crops (34 types): This range includes cereals such as millets (barley, sorghum, pearl millet), forage crops (oats, maize), oilseeds (safflower, soybean), pulses (chickpea, fava bean), and sugarcane.
• Horticultural Crops (27 types): This diverse category features fruits, vegetables, potential crops (buckwheat, amaranth), plantation crops (coconut, cocoa), tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants.

Each variety is crafted to enhance climate resilience, boost nutritional content, and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. ICAR highlights that "These new crops are designed to withstand climate changes, are rich in nutrients, and adaptable to various environments. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the government's efforts to strengthen and future-proof Indian agriculture."The basics

 

Latest Millets News