New ICRISAT-bred hybrid RHB 273 promises higher yields, climate resilience, and fodder security across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana

In a significant step toward strengthening climate-resilient agriculture, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced the release of 184 improved crop varieties across 25 crops for cultivation in India. Among the most notable innovations is RHB 273, the world’s first three-way pearl millet hybrid, developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in partnership with national and state institutions.

RHB 273 has been officially notified for cultivation in A1 dryland zones—regions receiving less than 400 mm of annual rainfall—covering large parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana. These areas are among India’s most climate-vulnerable agro-ecologies, where farmers routinely contend with drought, heat stress, and fodder scarcity.

Unlike conventional pearl millet hybrids that rely on two parental lines, three-way hybrids integrate three distinct parents, enabling the combination of multiple high-value traits. RHB 273 brings together high grain yield, drought tolerance, disease resistance, and superior fodder quality, offering a comprehensive solution for smallholder farmers in stress-prone environments.

“Millets are a lifeline for drought-prone regions in Asia and Africa. Pearl millet, in particular, is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures and low water availability,” said Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT. “The ICRISAT–ICAR partnership has delivered several world-first and India-first pearl millet varieties. We are pleased to add yet another milestone with the world’s first three-way pearl millet hybrid, developed in partnership with RARI.”

Proven Performance in Harsh Conditions

RHB 273 demonstrated exceptional adaptability and productivity during three years of rigorous multi-location trials (2022–2024) conducted across 30 sites in three states. The hybrid recorded an average grain yield of approximately 2,230 kg per hectare, delivering a 13–27 per cent yield advantage over existing regional varieties.

Notably, RHB 273 outperformed the widely cultivated HHB 67 Improved by nearly 28 per cent and showed strong resistance to major diseases, including downy mildew, blast, and smut—key constraints to pearl millet productivity in arid zones.

“RHB 273 is an innovative hybrid, and its adoption—especially in the A1 belt—will significantly strengthen pearl millet production in drought-prone states of north-western India,” said Dr Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad. “It will contribute meaningfully to food, nutrition, and fodder security in these regions.”

A Dual-Purpose Solution for Farmers and Livestock

Beyond grain productivity, RHB 273 addresses a critical but often overlooked challenge in arid and hyper-arid regions: fodder scarcity. Chronic water stress in these areas frequently leads to acute shortages of livestock feed, undermining rural livelihoods.

With its enhanced biomass and fodder quality, RHB 273 supports livestock sustainability, strengthening mixed crop–livestock systems that are central to resilience in dryland farming communities. The hybrid’s dual-purpose nature—delivering both grain and fodder—makes it especially valuable for smallholders managing climate risk with limited resources.

Delegates from partner institutions, including Dr P. S. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, SKNAU, Jobner; Dr Ummed Singh, Director of Research, SKNAU; and Dr S. K. Jain, In-charge, AICRP on Pearl Millet, RARI, highlighted the hybrid’s potential to meet regional food and fodder demand, calling it a critical advancement for drought-prone ecologies.

Science-Led Innovation with Global Relevance

Explaining the scientific significance of the breakthrough, Dr S. K. Gupta, Principal Scientist, Pearl Millet Breeding, ICRISAT, noted:

“Three-way hybrids offer better buffering capacity against both biotic and abiotic stresses, making them ideally suited to stress-prone environments. We initiated this novel work in pearl millet in 2019 with our partners, and the results we see today validate the approach.” “This dual-purpose hybrid delivers an integrated solution—from higher farm yields to improved nutrition and better fodder for livestock.”

The successful development and release of RHB 273 underscores the strength of science-led collaboration between international research institutions, national agencies, and state partners. It also positions India as a global leader in millet innovation, with implications extending beyond South Asia to dryland regions in Africa and other parts of the world.

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

The release of RHB 273 aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By enhancing productivity, resilience, and nutritional outcomes in some of the most vulnerable farming systems, the hybrid exemplifies how targeted agricultural innovation can deliver inclusive and sustainable growth.

Through this milestone, ICRISAT reaffirms its commitment to transforming dryland agriculture through cutting-edge science, strong partnerships, and farmer-centric solutions—ensuring that even under the harshest climatic conditions, agriculture remains productive, resilient, and sustainable.