Shivraj Singh Chouhan NEW DELHI: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday released 184 new varieties of 25 different crops to increase productivity, reduce input costs and address climate change . The new varieties included 122 of cereal crops, 22 of Bt cotton – the only genetically modified crop whose commercial cultivation is allowed in India – and 13 of oilseeds, among others. The new Bt cotton varieties are updated transgenic versions that will not only increase yield but also guard crops against pests, insects and weeds, reducing farmers’ overall input cost .The 184 new varieties, developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research institutions (60 varieties), state and central agriculture universities (62 varieties) and private seed companies (62 varieties), will reach farmers for commercial cultivation within three years.Among the 122 new varieties of cereal crops, 60 are of rice, 50 of maize, four of sorghum, five of pearl millet, and one each of ragi, small millet and proso millet. More than 50% (62) of the new cereal varieties belong to the coarse grains category, in sync with the govt’s plan to focus more on nutri-cereals and climate-resilient crops.Underlining India’s transformation from “a food-deficit country to a global food provider” over the years, Chouhan noted that India’s rice production reached 150 million tonnes while China’s production was 145 million tonnes. “This has also strengthened India’s role as world’s food supplier,” he said.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Sport Should Be Kept Apart From Politics” Tharoor On Mustafizur RowProbe Reveals Red Fort Blast Module Used ‘Ghost’ SIM Cards For Encrypted ChatsMatter Of Deep Concern: MEA Reacts To US Strikes On Venezuela, Urges Restraint’Lunatic Rulers’: Shashi Tharoor, Singhvi, Owaisi, Other Indian Leaders On US Strikes In VenezuelaIndian Army Raises Bhairav Special Force With Over One Lakh Drone Operatives For Modern WarfareCM Revanth Reddy’s Remarks In Telangana Assembly Sparks Row, BRS Slams ‘Filthy Language’‘If Trump Can Capture Maduro, Why Can’t Modi Bring Back 26/11 Mastermind From Pakistan’: Owaisi‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel To Venezuela’: India Issues Advisory For Citizens After US Strikes”No Control Over Minority Violence In Bangladesh…”: Former Indian Envoy Slams Yunus Govt“Infamous For His Tour With Anti-National Propaganda”: BJP Rips Rahul Gandhi Over Vietnam Visit123PhotostoriesPCOS beyond periods: How it affects mental health and metabolismMood fixes to outsmart the Monday blues before 9 AM20 minutes visceral fat-burning exercise routine to try at home4 everyday foods that help babies learn to chew naturally10 cheapest markets in Mumbai for street shoppingBeyond the Birkin: 5 times Aishwarya Rai Bachchan proved the ‘Mom Bag’ is the ultimate luxury flex8 common Japanese words and phrases worth learningNayanthara to Tara Sutaria: Decoding first looks of ‘Toxic’s female cast – Who understood the assignment best?Vaginal health: NHS doc debunks popular myths women still believe6 places where the world’s deadliest snakes are found123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayDelcy RodríguezVivek RamaswamyBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk
NEW DELHI: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday released 184 new varieties of 25 different crops to increase productivity, reduce input costs and address climate change . The new varieties included 122 of cereal crops, 22 of Bt cotton – the only genetically modified crop whose commercial cultivation is allowed in India – and 13 of oilseeds, among others. The new Bt cotton varieties are updated transgenic versions that will not only increase yield but also guard crops against pests, insects and weeds, reducing farmers’ overall input cost .The 184 new varieties, developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research institutions (60 varieties), state and central agriculture universities (62 varieties) and private seed companies (62 varieties), will reach farmers for commercial cultivation within three years.Among the 122 new varieties of cereal crops, 60 are of rice, 50 of maize, four of sorghum, five of pearl millet, and one each of ragi, small millet and proso millet. More than 50% (62) of the new cereal varieties belong to the coarse grains category, in sync with the govt’s plan to focus more on nutri-cereals and climate-resilient crops.Underlining India’s transformation from “a food-deficit country to a global food provider” over the years, Chouhan noted that India’s rice production reached 150 million tonnes while China’s production was 145 million tonnes. “This has also strengthened India’s role as world’s food supplier,” he said.
