August 2026 | Bharatpur, Rajasthan

The ICAR–Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (ICAR-IIRMR), Bharatpur, hosted the 33rd Annual Group Meeting (AGM) of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Rapeseed-Mustard on 17–18 August 2026. The two-day national meeting brought together more than 180 scientists, experts, policymakers, industry representatives and progressive farmers to discuss strategies for enhancing rapeseed-mustard productivity, quality and climate resilience.

Focus on reducing edible oil import dependence

Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, who attended the meeting as Chief Guest, emphasized that increasing rapeseed-mustard productivity is critical for reducing India’s dependence on edible oil imports and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He called for the development of next-generation mustard varieties with higher yield potential, improved oil quality, resistance to major diseases such as Orobanche (broomrape) and stem rot, and greater resilience to rising temperatures and climate variability. He also stressed the importance of pre-breeding, integrated cropping systems and effective technology dissemination.

Dr. D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, highlighted the role of modern biotechnology and advanced breeding technologies in overcoming emerging challenges in mustard production. He emphasized developing varieties with improved disease resistance and quality traits such as low erucic acid and low glucosinolate content.

He called for greater integration of genomics, biotechnology, modern breeding and conventional breeding approaches to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient, disease-resistant and farmer-preferred mustard varieties.

Strengthening coordinated and demand-driven research

The plenary session was chaired by Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, Vice Chancellor, CSAUA&T, Kanpur. He provided suggestions for strengthening the technical programme across research disciplines and emphasized interdisciplinary research, emerging agricultural challenges and outcome-oriented research under the AICRP-RM programme.

Earlier, Dr. V. V. Singh, Director, ICAR-IIRMR, welcomed the delegates participating both physically and virtually and presented the AICRP progress report along with action taken on recommendations from the previous meeting.

Former National Professor Dr. S. S. Banga highlighted the potential of gene-editing and genomic technologies in improving mustard productivity, quality and resilience. Dr. S. K. Jha, Assistant Director General (Oilseeds & Pulses), ICAR, outlined priorities for coordinated research on mustard and other oilseed crops.

Dr. P. R. Choudhary, Assistant Director General (Seeds), ICAR, stressed the importance of quality seed production and timely dissemination of improved varieties to ensure that their genetic potential is effectively realized at farmers’ fields.

Six publications released

Six publications were released during the AGM, including the Annual Report of AICRP-RM 2025–26, Rapeseed-Mustard Production Technologies for Uttar Pradesh, Directory of AICRP-RM Research Workers, AICRP-RM Achievements, Speed Breeding published by ICAR-IIRMR, and the Annual Progress Report of the Mega Project published by ZRAS, Shillongani, Assam.

Public-private partnerships for agricultural innovation

The meeting also witnessed the signing of two strategic agreements aimed at strengthening collaboration between public research institutions and private industry.

ICAR-IIRMR signed an agreement with Kamadgiri Crop Science Pvt. Ltd. for collaborative research at its Speed Breeding Facility. Another agreement was signed with Mahalakshmi Bioscience Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, for licensing the institute’s promising mustard variety NRCHB-506.

These partnerships are expected to support technology commercialization and expand the dissemination of improved mustard technologies and varieties among farmers.

Four mustard varieties identified for release

The Varietal Identification Committee identified four varieties for release:

  • RH 2299-63 – timely-sown irrigated, Zone-I

  • SKM 2104 – timely-sown irrigated, Zone-I

  • HRH 191290 – hybrid, Zone-II

  • BPM 181 – late-sown irrigated, Zone-III

Scientific deliberations on future priorities

The AGM featured detailed discussions on improved varieties and hybrids, productivity enhancement, quality improvement, pest and disease management, climate adaptation, biotechnology applications and future research priorities.

Progressive farmers also participated in an interactive session, sharing field experiences and discussing production challenges directly with scientists and experts.

The recommendations emerging from the meeting are expected to provide a strategic roadmap for strengthening research, innovation and technology delivery in the rapeseed-mustard sector, supporting India’s broader objective of edible oil self-reliance.

Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (ICAR-IIRMR), Bharatpur