Source: BL
Context:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has approved 28 new wheat and barley varieties for consideration by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification & Release of Varieties (CSN&RV), just before the start of the wheat sowing season.
Key Highlights:
- Varieties Cleared: Out of 46 new requests, 23 wheat varieties and all 5 barley varieties were identified for approval by the Varietal Identification Committee (VIC).
- Regional Focus:
- Punjab Agriculture University (PAU): 2 varieties approved – PBW 906 (central zone) and PBW 915 (North-East Plain Zone), both rust-resistant and high-yielding.
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI): 7 of 11 wheat varieties approved.
- Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR): 2 of 6 wheat varieties and all 3 barley varieties approved.
- Scrutiny of Releases: The approval process is under stricter monitoring after concerns over farmers not adopting previously released varieties, especially in regions unsuitable for wheat cultivation.
- Significance: Timely approval allows seed companies to produce breeder seeds, ensuring higher adoption and supporting India’s wheat output growth amid rising domestic consumption.
Significance for Farmers:
- Encourages cultivation of region-specific, high-yield, and disease-resistant wheat varieties.
- Supports national food security by aligning seed availability with production targets.
