|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Centre intensifies push to promote traditional crops
|
|
Friday, 31 July, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our bureau, Mumbai
|
The Central Government has intensified efforts to conserve, promote and commercialise traditional agricultural produce and indigenous crop varieties through a combination of research, financial support, intellectual property protection and value addition initiatives. The measures aim to safeguard India's rich agro-biodiversity while enhancing farmers' incomes and strengthening the market potential of traditional crops.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), through the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and its network of research institutes, is undertaking the exploration, collection, characterisation, evaluation, conservation and documentation of indigenous germplasm across the country. As of July 15, 2026, the National Gene Bank conserves more than one lakh landraces and traditional crop varieties, providing researchers and plant breeders with valuable genetic resources for crop improvement.
The government has also strengthened legal protection for traditional crop varieties under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001. As of July 15, 2026, the PPV&FR Authority has registered 5,346 farmers' varieties comprising traditionally cultivated varieties and landraces. The National Gene Fund established under the Act supports conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources through benefit-sharing, awards and capacity-building initiatives. So far, 45 Plant Genome Saviour Community Awards, 69 Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Rewards and 88 Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Recognitions have been conferred on farmers and farming communities.
To encourage cultivation of traditional crop varieties, the government has introduced the "Boosting Seed Production of Traditional Varieties" component under the Seeds programme of the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM). The initiative provides financial assistance for seed production, distribution, capacity building and the establishment of seed banks for traditional varieties.
In the food processing sector, the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme continues to promote indigenous agricultural products through its One District One Product (ODOP) approach. ODOPs have been identified for 726 districts across 35 States and Union Territories, covering products such as Makhana, Shahi Litchi and Jardalu Mango. The scheme provides financial, technical and business support for processing, value addition, branding, packaging and marketing of district-specific traditional produce.
Traditional agricultural products with unique geographical characteristics are also protected through registration under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, helping strengthen their identity, branding and market value. Commodity-specific organisations such as the Tea Board, Coffee Board, Spices Board, APEDA and the National Medicinal Plants Board continue to promote quality improvement, exports and market development for traditional products. The government has also recently established the National Makhana Board to support the production, processing, value addition and marketing of makhana.
The government has accorded special priority to millets, branded as "Shree Anna", under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission following the International Year of Millets. The ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, serves as the Global Centre of Excellence on Millets to promote international research and development. In addition, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) includes a dedicated Millet-Based Products component to encourage value addition and commercialisation of millet products.
Research aimed at improving indigenous crop varieties has also been expanded. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is currently implementing 13 research projects supported by ICAR, the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Science and Technology. These projects focus on characterisation, molecular breeding, genomics and genome editing of indigenous germplasm across crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sesame, lentil, cucumber and tomato to develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant varieties.
Research at ICAR-IARI has also resulted in improved Pusa Basmati rice varieties, which account for a significant share of India's Basmati exports. Two high-yielding Kalanamak rice varieties—Pusa Narendra KN1 and Pusa CRD KN2—have also been released for Geographical Indication areas in eastern Uttar Pradesh, offering higher yields and improved resistance to lodging compared with the traditional landrace.
Under the joint work plan between the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the National Agricultural Research System under ICAR, more than 5,000 native varieties of 25 crops have been documented and evaluated across 11 states using participatory varietal evaluation. The initiative has identified nearly 300 superior traditional varieties for large-scale cultivation. Nearly 50 community seed banks conserving over 4,000 traditional varieties of more than 25 crops have also been established, while nutritional profiling of over 3,000 traditional varieties has supported branding and commercialisation through initiatives such as Native Basket, Mountain Grains and Dhartee Naturals.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has further supported innovation by approving 257 research and development proposals under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, several of which focus on traditional and indigenous produce including millet-based products, mahua and drumstick. Collectively, these initiatives are aimed at preserving India's agricultural heritage while creating new opportunities for value addition, processing and export of traditional farm produce.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|