Source: TOI
Context:
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today released 184 new varieties of 25 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at New Delhi. These varieties have been bred with improved yield, climate resilience, and nutritional traits.
Key Highlights of the Release
Crop-wise Break-up
- Rice: 60 varieties
- Maize: 50 varieties
- Oilseeds: 13 varieties
- Others: Pulses, millets, fodder and horticultural crops (part of total 25 crops)
Policy & Governance Announcements
- The government aims to ensure that all agriculture-related schemes reach farmers within three years of launch.
- Six regional zones have been created for pre-Rabi and pre-Kharif regional conferences, feeding into national conferences and helping states prepare a Krishi Roadmap tailored to regional needs.
- The government is considering introducing the Seed Bill in the upcoming Parliament session, signalling reforms in seed regulation, quality assurance, and farmer protection.
