12 August 2024, New Delhi: In a significant step towards empowering India’s agriculture sector to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled a new climate-resilient rice variety, ‘CR Dhan 416’ (IET 30201). Developed by the ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, this variety is poised to play a critical role in ensuring food security in regions vulnerable to climate-induced risks.

Key Features of CR Dhan 416:

• Disease Resistance: CR Dhan 416 is moderately resistant to several common rice diseases, including brown spot, neck blast, sheath rot, rice tungro disease, and glume discoloration. This makes it a reliable option for farmers facing these challenges in their fields.
• Pest Resistance: The variety also boasts resistance to major pests like brown plant hopper, grasshopper, and stem borer, which are prevalent in many rice-growing areas. This resistance reduces the dependency on chemical pesticides, promoting more sustainable farming practices.
• Adaptability to Challenging Conditions: CR Dhan 416 is well-suited for cultivation in coastal saline areas and other regions with challenging agro-climatic conditions. It can be successfully grown in states like West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, providing a versatile option for farmers across these diverse regions.
• High Yield and Maturity: The variety offers a commendable yield of 48.97 quintals per hectare, with a maturity period of 125-130 days. This relatively short maturity period allows for better crop management and the possibility of multiple cropping cycles within a year.

Addressing Climate Challenges in Agriculture

The introduction of CR Dhan 416 is part of a broader initiative to enhance the resilience of India’s staple food crops, particularly rice, against the growing threats of climate change. The eastern regions of India, which often face challenges like waterlogging, submergence stress, coastal salinity, and even water scarcity, stand to benefit significantly from such resilient varieties.

A Comprehensive Effort

Alongside CR Dhan 416, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated 109 new crop varieties to the nation, including 69 field crops and 40 horticultural crops. Among these, nine climate-resilient varieties of rice have been introduced to address specific risks such as waterlogging, lodging, salinity, submergence stress, and water scarcity. These varieties, along with climate-ready maize varieties, will help farmers overcome environmental stresses, thereby ensuring stable crop yields.

Published Date: August 12, 2024