PM Modi Unveils 109 New Crop Varieties

Tags: National News

On 11th August 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 new varieties of 61 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

An Overview of the News

• The event took place at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi.

• The 109 new crop varieties include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.

• These varieties are high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified.

Significance of the Launch

• The new crop varieties are nutritionally rich and adaptable to environmental changes.

• This initiative aims to enhance food security, boost agricultural diversity, and address nutritional challenges in India.

Highlighted Crop Varieties

• Pooja 1801: A millet variety rich in iron and zinc, developed to combat child malnutrition.

• Pusa 2002: A millet variety that matures in 70 days, promoting climate resilience.

• Girnar 6: A groundnut variety with high oil content.

• Nandyal 1267: A chickpea variety suitable for mechanical harvesting.