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**India First Nation to Develop Genome-Edited Rice Varieties, Sparks Debate**

**NEW DELHI, May 15, 2025** – India has become the first country in the world to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology, according to an announcement made recently by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The two new varieties, DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, were developed by researchers guided by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and are expected to be available to farmers within six months after regulatory clearances. Large-scale seed production is projected within the next three crop seasons.

DRR Dhan 100, derived from the popular Samba Mahsuri rice, boasts superior yield, drought tolerance, higher nitrogen use efficiency, and matures 20 days earlier than its parent variety. Trials have shown an average yield of 5.37 tonnes per hectare compared to Samba Mahsuri’s 4.5 tonnes. Pusa DST Rice 1 exhibits improved yield under saline and alkaline conditions, showing a potential increase of up to 30% in coastal salinity stress.

The development employed SDN-1 and SDN-2 genome editing techniques, which, according to ICAR, do not involve the introduction of foreign genes, distinguishing them from genetically modified (GM) crops. The international research community has reportedly approved both varieties, with research already cited in over 300 scientific papers.

However, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Venugopal Badaravada, a former farmers’ representative in the ICAR governing body, criticized the claims as premature and misleading. He was subsequently expelled from the governing body. The Coalition for a Genetically Modified-Free India has also voiced concerns, arguing that de-regulation of gene editing is illegal and threatens farmers’ seed sovereignty due to Intellectual Property Rights issues associated with the technology. The group is already fighting a case against GM crops in the Supreme Court.

The Indian government insists the new varieties were developed without foreign genes and represent a precision mutation technique. Despite the government’s assurances, transparency regarding the IPRs connected to the released varieties is called for. The coming months will prove crucial as these varieties navigate the regulatory process and face real-world trials, with the potential to revolutionize rice production in India and beyond.

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