ICAR Approves 28 New Wheat and Barley Varieties Ahead of Sowing Season

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.