BARC Launches Eight High-Yield, Climate-Resilient Varieties of Wheat, Rice, and Oilseeds for Indian Farmers

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai has unveiled eight innovative crop varieties, including wheat, rice, and oilseeds. These high-yielding, climate-resilient crops were developed using radiation-based mutation breeding techniques. The non-GMO varieties aim to transform agriculture in India. BARC collaborated with state agricultural universities to launch five cereals and three oilseeds tailored for diverse farming conditions.

Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, praised BARC's role in boosting farmer incomes and enhancing food security. Vivek Bhasin, Director of BARC, described these crops as beneficial for farmers due to their early maturity, disease resistance, climate resilience, salt tolerance, and higher yields compared to existing options.

Wheat Varieties for Challenging Conditions

India's wheat production faces challenges from rising temperatures during the grain-filling stage. For the first time, BARC has developed wheat varieties to address this issue. The Trombay Jodhpur Wheat-153 (TJW-153), created with Jodhpur Agriculture University for Rajasthan, is heat-tolerant and maintains stable yields despite heat stress. It resists fungal diseases like blast and powdery mildew, making it ideal for Rajasthan's arid conditions.

The Trombay Raj Vijay Wheat-155 (TRVW-155), developed with Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Gwalior for Madhya Pradesh, features enhanced zinc and iron content. It also offers better chapati-making quality and resistance to fungal diseases such as blast and powdery mildew.

Rice Varieties with Enhanced Qualities

The Bauna Luchai-CTLM rice variety was developed with IGKV Raipur for Chhattisgarh. This dwarf, early-maturing variety resists lodging, preventing it from toppling in rain or wind. It retains soft-cooked quality while achieving a 40% higher yield than its parent Luchai landrace.

Sanjeevani rice, derived from the Layacha rice landrace, is another variety launched by BARC. Rich in over 350 phytochemicals known for therapeutic properties, it boosts immunity and antioxidant responses. Developed for Chhattisgarh with IGKV Raipur, it meets the demand for health-enhancing rice varieties.

Innovative Oilseed Varieties

The Trombay Konkan Khara rice variety is designed for Maharashtra's saline coastal soils. It achieves a 15% higher grain yield under saline conditions. Developed with Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in Dapoli, it enables rice cultivation in previously non-arable brackish soils.

Other new crop varieties introduced by BARC include Trombay Jodhpur Mustard-2 (TJM-2), Trombay Latur Til-10 (TLT-10), and Chhattisgarh Trombay Mungfali (CGTM) oilseeds. These varieties are expected to enhance agricultural productivity across various regions.

These advancements by BARC mark a significant step towards improving agricultural resilience and productivity in India. By addressing specific regional challenges and enhancing nutritional content, these new crop varieties promise to support sustainable farming practices nationwide.