India's First Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrids (Biotechnology)
India's First Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrids (Biotechnology)
Why In News:
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched Krisna459 and Godari234, India’s first non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seeds, on 24 August 2026 at Musunuru, Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
Krisna459 and Godari234: Key Features
Non-GMO: Developed through conventional cross-breeding and selection of parent lines rather than genetic modification.
High-expansion: Bred to produce a larger popped volume from each kernel, matching premium international popcorn varieties.
Agronomic traits: They combine pest tolerance, shorter crop duration and higher productivity suited to Indian growing conditions.
Farmer coverage: The initiative is expected to benefit more than 17,500 farmers across eight States, covering nearly 40,000 acres.
Value-chain integration: The initiative connects hybrid seed development, cultivation, assured procurement and popcorn processing, promoting value addition within the agricultural sector.
Maize in India
Maize is scientifically known as Zea mays and is often called the “Queen of Cereals” because of its high genetic yield potential and diverse uses.
It is India's third-largest cereal crop contributing around 14 per cent to total domestic food grain production after rice and wheat.
Maize is used for food, animal feed, starch, ethanol, industrial products and processed foods, making it an important multipurpose crop.
Major maize-producing States include Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra.
India ranks as the 5th largest producer of maize globally, accounting for over 3% to 3.3% of total world production.
ICAR and Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR)
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the apex organisation coordinating agricultural research and education under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
IIMR is an ICAR institute dedicated to maize research, technology development and improvement of maize productivity.
IIMR works on areas such as maize breeding, crop management, stress tolerance, germplasm improvement and development of improved maize varieties/hybrids.