Experts Hail Biotech As Key Driver Of AP’s Agri Success
Says the widespread adoption of advanced seed varieties like MTU 1232 and Bt cotton has enhanced crop resilience, improved yields, and reduced pesticide use
Experts Hail Biotech As Key Driver Of AP’s Agri Success
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 recently attributed most of this success to the widespread adoption of biotechnology which has boosted agricultural productivity.
At a recent workshop at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) in Guntur, experts, researchers, and industry leaders highlighted the role of genetic engineering, molecular breeding, and biotechnological advancements in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The workshop, jointly organized by Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), underscored the importance of biotechnology in tackling challenges such as water scarcity, frequent cyclones, and crop diseases.
Researchers from ANGRAU and ICAR National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Delhi, showcased MTU 1232, a high-yielding, flood-tolerant rice variety developed to combat bacterial blight and flooding in Andhra Pradesh.
“MTU 1232, developed using the Sub1A gene, can withstand flash floods for 10-14 days and stagnant flooding up to 50 cm for over a month. It has an 80 per cent survival rate and yields up to 6,000 kg/ha in normal conditions,” said Dr R Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi, Vice Chancellor, ANGRAU.
Beyond rice, Andhra Pradesh has been a leader in Bt cotton adoption, with over 4.73 lakh farmers cultivating it in 2023–24.
