🚜 Biotechnology + Agriculture = Smarter, Sustainable Farming

The National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) has achieved a significant breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology by developing a gene-edited rice variety using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique—a cutting-edge gene-editing tool often referred to as "molecular scissors."

🌱 The challenge: Phosphorus is a critical nutrient for plant growth, but existing fertilizers are inefficient—only about 15–20% of the phosphorus applied is absorbed by plants. The rest is lost through leaching and runoff, leading to economic loss and environmental concerns.

🌾 The solution: This newly developed rice strain shows improved phosphorus uptake efficiency, meaning it can absorb much more of the available nutrient.

💡 The impact: According to NIPGR, even with just 10% of the usual fertilizer application, the crop yield increased by 20%. This not only boosts productivity but also ensures more sustainable use of agro-inputs—an urgent need in Indian agriculture.

This is a powerful example of how biotechnology can enhance agricultural productivity while promoting resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

📌 For policymakers, researchers, and students: this kind of innovation is a clear path forward for tackling food security and input optimization challenges in India and beyond.

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