India plans to begin seed multiplication for 'Pusa DST Rice 1' this winter, a gene-edited variety designed for better drought and salt tolerance. Developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, this project leverages CRISPR technology to improve crop yields in challenging conditions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is now finalizing a technology partnership with Corteva to support the commercial rollout.
India is moving toward a landmark shift in agricultural technology, with plans to begin seed multiplication for its first gene-edited rice varieties during the upcoming rabi season. This initiative centers on the 'Pusa DST Rice 1' variety, which has been developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi. The program aims to address critical farming challenges by creating crops that can better withstand drought and high salt levels in soil.
Advancing Crop Resilience with CRISPR Technology
The 'Pusa DST Rice 1' variety was created by editing the Drought and Salt Tolerance gene, specifically targeting the SDNI mutant. This technical adjustment is designed to help the rice plant perform more reliably in adverse environmental conditions. Data from field trials held in 2023 and 2024 indicated that this variety produced an average yield of 2,493 kg per hectare under coastal salinity stress. In comparison, the base variety, MTU1010, produced 1,912 kg per hectare under similar conditions. These results suggest a potential for higher productivity for farmers working in saline or drought-prone regions.
In addition to 'Pusa DST Rice 1', researchers at the Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad have developed another variety called 'DRR Dhan 100' (KAMALA) using the CRISPR-CaS12a tool. The government has prioritized these innovations to boost national food security and climate resilience.
Regulatory Framework and Technology Licensing
A critical part of this rollout involves the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) finalizing an agreement with Corteva, a global company that holds licenses for the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. Such intellectual property agreements are essential for the commercial scaling of these new seed varieties. From a regulatory perspective, India follows a clear path for these products. Under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, products developed through Site Directed Nuclease (SDN 1 and SDN 2) methods are considered free from certain biosafety restrictions. These methods essentially fine-tune a plant's existing genes to achieve desired traits, making the final output similar to naturally occurring varieties.
As the ICAR prepares for the November planting cycle, it has already secured approximately two tonnes of 'Pusa DST Rice 1' seeds. The next stage for investors and the broader agricultural sector will be to track the success of the initial seed multiplication phase and the progress of the formal technology partnership with global licensors. The long-term impact on the domestic seed market and the adoption rates among smallholder farmers will also be key factors to monitor as these gene-edited products enter the commercial supply chain.