Govt’s Farm Research Body Rejects Allegations on Gene-Edited Rice

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has strongly rejected accusations of data manipulation and misleading claims about two newly released rice varieties, according to a government release.

The Coalition for a GM-Free India, an alliance of civil society groups, alleged that ICAR “manufactured false claims of success” by exaggerating these gene-edited rice lines’ benefits.

At a recent press briefing, the coalition accused ICAR of rigging field trial data for the rice varieties Pusa DST-1 and DRR Dhan 100 (also called Kamala). According to the group’s analysis of ICAR’s own reports, the new drought- and salt-tolerant rice often failed to outperform conventional varieties. They claim ICAR’s headline figure of “30% higher yield” came from only a few favorable plots, while in many other trial sites the gene-edited rice yielded less than normal varieties. They also noted that one variety touted to mature 20 days earlier showed only a slight improvement in harvest time. 

The coalition warned that cherry-picking results misleads farmers, and criticized the release of these gene-edited crops without proper safety testing. The group demands an independent review of the trial data and a halt to any further gene-edited crop releases until stricter oversight is in place.

ICAR issued a rebuttal calling the allegations “baseless” and driven by an “anti-development agenda.” It stressed that the rice lines are gene-edited, not GMOs – with no foreign genes inserted. Gene editing tweaks a plant’s own genome without adding external DNA, and under current Indian rules such crops are not subject to the same lengthy approval process as GMOs.

ICAR defended its evaluation methods and performance claims. Both new rice varieties were rigorously tested in multi-location trials at more than two dozen sites. Trials were conducted “blind,” with the new lines coded among many other varieties to ensure unbiased results. ICAR said it followed all required procedures and made the detailed results public. It added that under harsh conditions like drought or high salinity, the gene-edited rice gave higher yields than the conventional variety, demonstrating improved resilience.

ICAR and government officials stand by the new rice, calling it a breakthrough for crop yields and climate resilience. Meanwhile, the Coalition for a GM-Free India remains unconvinced, insisting on caution and transparency. With ICAR firm about its data and activists pressing for scrutiny, the debate over India’s gene-edited crops is likely to continue.