Release of Variety in India Notes | Complete Process

A variety release is the official process through which a newly developed crop variety is scientifically evaluated, approved, and recommended for commercial cultivation by the Government of India. Before a variety reaches farmers, it must undergo several years of rigorous testing to ensure that it performs better than existing varieties in terms of yield, stability, disease resistance, quality, and adaptability. The variety release system ensures that only superior, genetically stable, and economically beneficial varieties are made available for cultivation.

India has one of the most comprehensive and scientifically organized variety release systems in the world. The process involves research institutes, agricultural universities, coordinated research projects, state governments, seed organizations, and the Ministry of Agriculture. The system safeguards farmers' interests by ensuring that every released variety has been thoroughly evaluated under different environmental conditions.

Objectives of Variety Release

The major objectives of releasing a crop variety are:

• To identify and release superior crop varieties with higher yield potential.
• To improve agricultural productivity and farmers' income.
• To evaluate the adaptability of varieties under different agro-climatic conditions.
• To ensure resistance against major diseases and insect pests.
• To identify varieties tolerant to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heat, flood, and cold.
• To improve grain, fiber, oil, fodder, or nutritional quality depending on the crop.
• To maintain genetic purity and varietal identity.
• To facilitate breeder, foundation, and certified seed production.
• To provide legal recognition for newly developed crop varieties.
• To strengthen national food and nutritional security.

Need for Variety Release

A formal variety release system is necessary because farmers invest significant resources in crop cultivation. Releasing an inferior variety may lead to economic losses, low productivity, and poor seed quality. Therefore, every new variety must be evaluated scientifically before commercial cultivation.

The variety release system helps in:

• Ensuring only superior varieties are cultivated.
• Maintaining quality standards in agriculture.
• Preventing distribution of unstable or poor-performing varieties.
• Increasing agricultural production.
• Supporting climate-resilient agriculture.
• Protecting farmers from low-quality seed.
• Promoting scientific crop improvement.

Organizations Involved in Variety Release in India

1. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

ICAR is the apex organization responsible for agricultural research and education in India. It coordinates crop improvement programmes across the country.

Functions:

• Coordinates national crop breeding programmes.
• Supports development of improved crop varieties.
• Supervises multi-location evaluation trials.
• Provides technical guidance during variety release.
• Produces breeder seed after release.

2. All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP)

AICRPs are crop-specific coordinated research networks involving ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities. Every important crop has its own AICRP.

Examples:

• AICRP on Rice
• AICRP on Wheat
• AICRP on Pulses
• AICRP on Oilseeds
• AICRP on Cotton
• AICRP on Maize

Functions:

• Conduct Initial Evaluation Trials (IET).
• Conduct Advanced Varietal Trials (AVT-I and AVT-II).
• Evaluate yield performance.
• Assess disease and insect resistance.
• Evaluate quality parameters.
• Recommend promising entries for release.

3. State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

State Agricultural Universities develop new crop varieties suitable for their respective regions and actively participate in coordinated trials.

Functions:

• Develop improved crop varieties.
• Conduct station trials.
• Participate in AICRP testing.
• Produce nucleus and breeder seed.

4. Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs)

Central Agricultural Universities conduct crop improvement research and develop varieties suitable for specific geographical regions, particularly the North-Eastern states.

5. Indian Institute of Seed Science (IISS)

The institute conducts research on seed science and technology.

Functions:

• Develops seed testing protocols.
• Improves seed production technologies.
• Supports maintenance of seed quality.

6. Central Seed Committee (CSC)

The Central Seed Committee advises the Government of India regarding notification and release of crop varieties.

Functions:

• Reviews recommendations received from technical committees.
• Provides policy guidance.
• Advises the Government regarding notification.

7. Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties

This committee evaluates proposals for centrally released varieties.

Functions:

• Examines complete release proposals.
• Evaluates multi-location trial data.
• Reviews disease resistance and quality data.
• Recommends suitable varieties for central release.

8. State Variety Release Committee (SVRC)

The State Variety Release Committee evaluates varieties suitable for cultivation within a particular state.

Functions:

• Reviews state trial data.
• Approves varieties for state cultivation.
• Recommends notification to the state government.

9. Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture issues the official notification of approved crop varieties.

Functions:

• Publishes notified varieties.
• Authorizes certified seed production.
• Maintains official records of notified varieties.

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