ICAR Seeks Faster Rules for GM and Gene-Edited Crops

India may soon see faster progress in agricultural biotechnology as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has called for science-based regulations to speed up the approval of genetically modified (GM) and gene-edited crops. ICAR Director General Dr. M. L. Jat said modern biotechnology can help farmers tackle climate change, improve crop productivity and reduce losses from pests and diseases. He stressed that regulatory decisions should be guided by scientific evidence while ensuring environmental and food safety.

Speaking at a recent agriculture conference, Dr. Jat said India has strong scientific expertise in crop improvement but often takes longer than many countries to move new technologies from research laboratories to farmers’ fields. He said a predictable and science-based regulatory system would encourage innovation while helping farmers access improved crop varieties sooner.

Biotechnology Can Address Climate Challenges

Climate change is exposing crops to more frequent heatwaves, droughts, floods and new pest outbreaks. Scientists believe biotechnology can help develop crop varieties that tolerate these stresses while maintaining stable yields.

Gene-editing tools such as CRISPR allow researchers to make precise changes in a plant’s own DNA without introducing genes from unrelated species. Researchers say this technology can improve drought tolerance, disease resistance, grain quality and nutrient-use efficiency in a shorter time than conventional breeding.

Dr. Jat noted that India needs advanced breeding technologies to meet the food requirements of a growing population while reducing pressure on natural resources. Developing crops that use less water and fertiliser could also make agriculture more sustainable in the long term.

ICAR has emphasised that faster approvals should not compromise safety. Instead, the organisation has called for regulatory systems that evaluate biotechnology products according to scientific evidence and the level of risk involved.

Many countries already regulate gene-edited crops differently from conventional genetically modified crops when no foreign DNA is introduced. Scientists believe such an approach can encourage research while maintaining high standards for environmental and food safety. They say clear regulations also provide greater confidence for researchers, seed companies and investors.

Researchers Hope to Speed Up Innovation

Public research institutions, including ICAR, are working on improved varieties of rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops using advanced breeding techniques. Scientists say reducing regulatory uncertainty will help these innovations reach farmers more quickly after they complete the required safety assessments.

Experts also believe stronger collaboration between research institutions, universities and private companies can accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops while ensuring that small farmers benefit from scientific advances.

India’s agriculture is under increasing pressure from climate change, shrinking natural resources and rising food demand. Scientists believe advanced breeding technologies can become an important tool for improving productivity while making farming more resilient.

ICAR’s call for science-based biotechnology regulations reflects a broader effort to modernise agricultural research and speed up innovation. If supported by an efficient regulatory framework, improved crop varieties could reach farmers faster and help strengthen India’s food security in the years ahead.