India bets on gene-edited rice varieties as yield growth slows
India’s rice productivity growth slowed sharply to just 0.5% in 2025-26, with yields reaching 2,915 kg/ha, highlighting the need for innovation. The government plans to commercially release genome-edited Pusa Rice DST1 in the upcoming rabi season to support future productivity growth.
India’s rice productivity growth is showing signs of slowing just as the country prepares to bring new genome-edited varieties to farmers. Two such varieties – DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa Rice DST1 – were developed in 2025. The government is now preparing to release Pusa Rice DST1 for commercial production in the coming rabi season.
Data from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare show that yield rose 9.4 per cent in 2001-02 and 5.9 per cent in 2005-06, but growth has become more subdued in recent years. Yield growth slowed to 1.6 per cent in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, before declining to 0.5 per cent, reaching 2,915 kg/ha in 2025-26.
Rice acreage, meanwhile, has expanded more rapidly, with area growth reaching 7.2 per cent in 2024-25 before slowing to 3.1 per cent in 2025-26.
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Source : The Hindu Businessline
