Genome-Edited Rice Pusa DST Rice 1 Expected to Reach Farmers Within a Year

Genome-edited rice seed Pusa DST Rice 1 is expected to reach farmers within a year, pending intellectual property procedures. Several genome-edited crops are expected to be ready for large-scale cultivation within the next five to six years. Genome editing allows for the addition of desirable traits and overcomes limitations in seeds.

India is poised to revolutionize its agricultural landscape with the imminent release of genome-edited rice varieties, including 'Pusa DST Rice 1', expected to reach farmers within a year. This development follows the government's recent release of two genome-edited rice varieties, 'Kamala–DRR Dhan-100' and 'Pusa DST Rice 1', which are anticipated to increase per-hectare yields by up to 30% and mature 15–20 days earlier than existing varieties [1].

The genome-edited rice varieties are designed to consume less water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with India's sustainability goals. However, the release of these varieties has sparked concerns among scientists who have written to the Prime Minister, warning about potential intellectual property rights (IPR) issues and the risk of contaminating India's native rice germplasm [1].

The government has assured that all IPR concerns are being addressed and that farmers will not face any licensing burden. A panel has been formed to tackle IPR issues, and the government plans to acquire necessary licences for gene-editing technologies [1]. Despite these assurances, scientists remain cautious, expressing concerns that unresolved IPR issues could lead to Indian farmers becoming dependent on foreign seed technologies [1].

Looking ahead, several genome-edited crops are expected to be ready for large-scale cultivation within the next five to six years. Genome editing allows for the addition of desirable traits and overcomes limitations in seeds. For instance, genomics has enabled the development of disease-resistant wheat, drought-tolerant maize, and nutrient-enriched rice [2]. These advancements highlight the potential of genomics and gene editing to transform crop improvement and address global food security challenges [2].

While the future of genome-edited crops in India is promising, it is crucial to address the IPR concerns and ensure that the technology benefits Indian farmers without creating dependencies on foreign technologies. The integration of genomics with gene editing holds the key to sustainable agriculture and increased food security [2].

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/industry/agriculture/india-gene-edited-rice-ipr-warning-scientists-letter-to-pm-125062300895_1.html
[2] https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/revolutionizing-plant-genetics-genomics