The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) expects to launch 'golden rice', a genetically engineered variety that stores vitamin A precursor in seeds, in the next two to three years. The council also expects to launch a rice strain with higher iron content. | |
| Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the 'International Symposium on Rice: From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution', Mangala Rai, secretary, central department of agricultural research and education, and director general of Indian Council for Agricultural Research, said, "Food safety tests are currently being conducted on the varieties. |
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| ICAR has to test if the yield of this variety would be the same as other varieties and only after that will it be available on a commercial basis." |
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| Rai said people were slow to accept genetically engineered products. "The biggest test would be to convince people to use this variety," he said. |
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| Rice scientist G S Khush said tests were being conducted to rework photosynthesis in rice. "Maize and sorghum crops have better photosynthesis process than rice so genes from maize and sorghum are being implanted into rice varieties," he said. |
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| If successful, it could improve yields by 35 per cent. Tests were being conducted to improve rice productivity without altering land conditions. |
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| According to estimates, rice production has to increase by 40 per cent by 2025 to match consumption. |
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| "Rice yield has to increase from 10 tonnes per hectare now to 12 tonnes per hectare and deficiencies in production needs to be arrested," he said. |
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| Rai said rice research would also attempt to change management practices and address issued like salinity, drought management and quality. |
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| A sum of Rs 32 crore has been invested in transgenics and another Rs 50 crore on rice research at the global level. Research to improve production capabilities using bio-technology tools was also on. |
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| Golden rice will have grains that appear pale yellow in colour due to the accumulation of significant levels of beta carotene in the endosperm. |
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| Beta carotene is precursor for synthesis of vitamin A. |
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