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HomePosts Tagged "Ram Kaundinya"
Agribiotechnology, Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

Between 2020 and 2024, the state introduced over 46 innovative rice seed varieties, boosting resilience and productivity, further reinforcing the role of biotechnology in agricultural sustainability.

Calling the Andhra Pradesh growth story in agriculture and allied sector as exemplary, with a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.80 per cent, experts attributed most of this success to the widespread adoption of biotechnology which has boosted agricultural productivity. At a workshop held at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Guntur, researchers, experts, and industry leaders discussed advancements in genetic engineering, molecular breeding, and biotechnological innovations for sustainable agriculture.

The workshop was jointly organised by Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Lam, Guntur, and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), New Delhi, with support from the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII).

Water availability will be a major concern for the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh, along with frequent cyclones and flooding. In rice, the largest grown crop, bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae is a challenge. To combat these challenges, researchers from ANGRAU and ICAR National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Delhi, have developed MTU 1232, a high-yielding, flood-tolerant rice variety. Between 2020 and 2024, the state introduced over 46 innovative rice seed varieties, boosting resilience and productivity, further reinforcing the role of biotechnology in agricultural sustainability.

Dr R Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi, Vice Chancellor, ANGRAU, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to agricultural research, citing MTU 1232 as a testament to biotechnology’s impact. “ANGRAU has led the development of resilient seed varieties using biotech tools like MTU 1232 developed using the Sub1A gene, withstands flash floods for 10-14 days and stagnant flooding up to 50 cm for over a month. With an 80 per cent survival rate and yields of 3,792 kg/ha under severe floods and 6,000 kg/ha in normal conditions, it is a game-changer for flood-prone regions,” she said.

Biotechnology’s success extends beyond rice to other crops.  Andhra Pradesh has been a leader in the adoption of Bt Cotton, with 4,73,345 farmers cultivating it in 2023–24. An ICAR-CICR study found Bt cotton increased yields by 3-4 quintals per acre while reducing pesticide use. Such advancements support sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture.

 Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, FSII and Co-founder, AGVAYA, emphasized the role of biotechnology in tackling agricultural challenges. “Biotechnology offers both Transgenic and Non-transgenic solutions. With changing climate conditions and rising productivity demands, biotech innovations are crucial. Bt cotton exemplifies how genetically modified crops boost yields, enhance resilience, and improve livelihoods. Other crops of Andhra Pradesh like Maize, Rice, Chilli, Vegetables, Pulses and Oilseeds can get a big boost with the help of biotechnology” he said.

Dr Vibha Ahuja, Chief General Manager, BCIL, highlighted biotechnology’s transformative impact. “The success of Bt cotton underscores its benefits for farmers. Since the introduction of genetically engineered crops in 1996, yields have improved across maize, soybean, cotton, and canola. Gene editing since 2012 has further accelerated crop improvement, offering faster, more precise solutions. Combined with precision agriculture, these innovations can drive the next wave of progress. These technologies undergo rigorous testing and stringent regulatory studies before they are approved. Farmers and consumers are encouraged to adopt them on a large scale as they are absolutely safe,” she said.

The workshop covered genome editing, pest and disease resistance, soil health, and the economic benefits of biotechnology for smallholder farmers. Experts stressed the importance of investment, policy support, and farmer education to unlock biotechnology’s full potential.

Between 2020 and 2024, the state introduced

Agri Genomics, AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to make crops resistant to pests and diseases, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

Recently the Supreme Court reopened its hearing on several petitions contesting the central government’s decision to commercially grow genetically modified (GM) mustard. In wake of the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court of India on GM mustard, the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has expressed that FSII is optimistic about the regulatory process adopted for scrutinizing GM crops in India.

Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) said, “We are optimistic that a holistic picture emerges by recognising the significant role of technology in increasing agricultural production, solid scientific evidence, India’s robust regulatory systems and the nation’s long-term interests.

It is essential that the country’s aspirations in terms of reducing the huge edible oil imports, saving huge foreign exchange, boosting productivity and farmers’ incomes are given due importance as discussions progress. Hence, we are hopeful that the cultural, social and nutritional importance of mustard for India are recognised while deliberating the issue holistically.

We also reiterate that the regulatory process adopted for scrutinizing GM crops in India including the biosafety protocols adhered to by GEAC and RCGM for GM approvals, are not only robust but align with globally accepted and benchmarked standards.

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to make crops resistant to pests and diseases, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, India needs to be open to exploring such innovative technologies to transform its agrarian sector, which forms the basis of livelihoods of nearly two-third of the population.

Kaundinya also added that we at FSII, continue to closely watch the developments in this regard. We hope that science will prevail and ultimately, farmers will be able to access and benefit from scientific and technological innovations in future.

Innovations including GM, hold great potential to

AgroPolicy, India, Opinions

By Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)

The Union Budget 2023-24, presented by the Finance Minister has many positive announcements for agriculture in general and a budget allotment of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The budget is an important instrument used by governments to shape public policy, economic growth and desired public responses to a country’s needs.

The most important announcement is the development of open source, open standards and interoperable Digital Public Goods (DPG) for delivering several services to the farmers. As we know digital technology is transforming our lives. A DPG like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completely changed the landscape of payment systems in the country. Even many of the developed countries do not have such a system. The recently introduced Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) will also have a major impact on the scale-up of digital ecommerce businesses and consumers. Similar DPGs are to be developed for delivering multiple services to the farmers like a supply of inputs, crop advisory /health monitoring, credit, insurance, etc. Some private organisations like Agri Collaboratory, the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) are working on this subject, apart from several government organisations and the Agristack, launched by the government earlier. It is very heartening that the government has now focused attention on this subject through the budget announcement, which will help in making this a reality.

Setting up an Agri Accelerator Fund for startups in rural areas is another major announcement. This will go a long way in supporting the new wave of startups coming up in the food, agri and fintech sectors. Startups are working in the pre-sowing phase, cultivation-phase and post-harvest phase of crops, livestock, fisheries, poultry and other segments of agriculture. This fund will help in scaling up real innovations, including grass- root level innovations which can play a crucial role in making farming easier and reducing the drudgery of the farmer, apart from making it attractive for the youth and women to get into agriculture.

A micro-irrigation project has been announced in Karnataka as well, with an allotment of Rs 5,500 crore budget, aside from targeting Rs 20 lakh crore of agri credit. All these  are very positive measures to help agriculture and the farmers.

The Cooperative sector received a big boost in the budget, emphasising the need for a cooperative-based economic development model. This is in line with the recent announcements made about giving a major role to cooperatives in the supply of seeds to farmers. The budget talked about the computerisation of 65000 Primary Agricultural Credit Coop Societies at an investment of Rs 2516 crore. This will also help in setting up a national database of cooperative societies. Massive decentralised storage facilities will be set up for crop output in rural areas. There will be a scale-up of multi-purpose cooperative societies, dairy societies, fisheries societies, etc. These measures will help the rural areas in a big way and the farmers will benefit particularly well.

The thrust towards natural farming has continued in the budget. A few important announcements were made. An Organic Bioresources Scheme has been announced, which envisages setting up 200 compressed biogas plants at an investment of Rs 10,000 crore Large-scale biomass collection and distribution structures will be set up.

A Bharatiya Prakrutik Natural farming system will be established under the name GOBARDHAN Scheme. 10,000 bio-input resource centres will be set up to promote natural farming among one crore farmers. This is a massive program which hopes to convert almost 5 per cent of the farmers to natural farming. This could be a turning point in the history of natural farming in India. However the challenge of marketing products of such natural farming as value-added products through an identity-preserved supply chain system will remain a challenge, unless the government announces a separate programme for it. The profitability of the one crore farmers will depend on marketing their output at remunerative prices.

The budget should have addressed more deeply incentivising sustainable agricultural practices and smart agriculture, which will help in mitigating climate risk. Specific and well- targeted incentives for crop diversification, reducing water consumption and similar urgent needs could have been included in the budget. Promotion of natural farming is not a guarantee for sustainable agriculture.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of

AgroPolicy, Finance, Oilseeds

Some incentives for crop diversification from rice and wheat to oilseeds would have been very appropriate

Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) mentioned that the budget did not spell out any specific initiative for the biotech sector, however, it had a few things for the agri sector—especially the thrust on millets and increasing the domestic production of oilseeds.

In the Economic Survey, the government underlined the need for enhanced research in agriculture as well as oilseeds in addition to the need for crop diversification. However, no announcements to boost research in breeding and biotechnology were made in the budget.

For instance, It would have been in the fitness of things if the government had said that modern science and biotech would be used to boost oilseeds production in the country.

Also, some incentives for crop diversification from rice and wheat to oilseeds would have been very appropriate. Our industry sought restoration of tax-deductibility of research expenditure but looks like it has not been approved.

Some incentives for crop diversification from rice