The threat of gene-edited rice and the urgent need to revive Dr. Richharia’s ‘Silent Rice Revolution'

By Bharat Dogra  

A growing coalition of scientists, academics, farmers' organizations, and concerned citizens is urgently urging the Indian government to halt the planned release of two gene-edited rice varieties, citing serious risks to health, the environment, food sovereignty, and cultural heritage. This crucial intervention is not just about stopping a hazardous technology; it is about reclaiming a forgotten, sustainable path for Indian agriculture—one championed decades ago by India’s preeminent rice scientist, Dr. R.H. Richharia.

The Gene-Editing Controversy and its Hidden Risks

The current controversy centers on two rice varieties: Kamala (DRR Dhan 100) and Pusa DST Rice, both developed using SDN-1 and SDN-2 gene-editing technologies. Reports indicate that seed multiplication for Pusa DST Rice is already underway ahead of the winter sowing season, with a scheduled Rabi 2026 release. 

The Coalition for a GM-Free India, supported by nearly 320 professors, doctors, and citizens, has written to Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan presenting a comprehensive, evidence-based argument against this release. Their primary concern relates to the imprecise nature of gene editing. Contrary to industry claims that CRISPR-Cas tools change genomes precisely, a vast body of scientific literature proves otherwise. Studies published in *Science Advances* demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9-based SDN-1 creates insertions, deletions, and DNA rearrangements beyond the intended edit site. These unintended mutations can generate proteins with unknown toxicity or allergenicity. The severity of this imprecision is illustrated by deaths in human gene-editing trials, including a six-year-old girl who died in Shanghai in March 2025 following a severe immune reaction to experimental CRISPR-based gene therapy.

Furthermore, even in SDN-1 and SDN-2 techniques, foreign genetic material is introduced through plasmids and vectors. In 2022, these techniques were essentially deregulated in India, meaning no mandatory biosafety testing is required. Both Kamala and Pusa DST Rice have been launched without such testing. A contempt petition before the Supreme Court argues that gene-edited products fall within the definitions of genetic engineering under the 1989 Rules, and that no exemption from GMO regulation is lawful.

Economic, Sovereign, and Cultural Stakes

Beyond health and environmental risks, the release threatens India’s economic and cultural interests. India is the world's largest rice producer, but key markets—including the pro-organic Middle East and Gulf regions, as well as Europe and the US—have strict concerns against gene-edited produce. Introducing these varieties will exclude India from certified organic export markets, directly contradicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's August 2026 emphasis on the need to "go organic to tap into global agri-markets."

Additionally, gene-editing tools are proprietary. CRISPR-Cas9 patents are heavily controlled by multinational corporations like Corteva Agriscience. The Government of India has not disclosed the terms or IPR liabilities under which the national research system accessed these technologies. India risks developing gene-edited crops domestically while remaining structurally dependent on foreign-controlled IP, severely compromising seed and food sovereignty.

Culturally, the move is deeply problematic. Rice is used as 'akshat' in religious ceremonies nationwide, symbolizing something unbroken and whole. Gene editing inherently involves genetic deletions—366 base pairs in Pusa DST Rice and 33 in Kamala—risking hurt to the religious sentiments of millions. Furthermore, data shows both varieties have reduced milling and head rice recovery compared to their parent lines, offering no real advantage to the farmer or the consumer.

A Proven Alternative: Dr. Richharia’s ‘Silent Rice Revolution’

While the government rushes toward proprietary, gene-edited crops under the guise of higher yields and climate resilience, a proven, sustainable blueprint already exists. Dr. R.H. Richharia, a brilliant Cambridge-educated scientist who dedicated his life to serving Indian farmers, left an indelible mark on the conservation of indigenous rice. He personally catalogued thousands of cultivars in a comprehensive rice encyclopedia.

In 1983-84, at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Richharia formulated a specific action plan titled *A Silent Rice Revolution*. Tragically shelved following Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the subsequent Bhopal gas tragedy that devastated his health, this plan holds unprecedented relevance today in the face of climate change, corporate monopolization of food systems, and disruptive gene-editing technologies.

Richharia first identified why rice productivity stagnated despite heavy Green Revolution investments. He noted that the hurried introduction of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) relied on a narrow genetic base of exotic dwarf varieties. Under heavy fertilization, these proved highly susceptible to pests and diseases. Because rice lacks the "wider adaptability" of wheat, a strategy built on such a weak base was doomed to collapse.

Instead, Richharia proposed a plan built on four pillars: basing development on diverse indigenous varieties, adopting a highly decentralized extension approach, utilizing clonal propagation, and deeply involving farmers—especially women—in seed conservation. 

Decentralization, Clonal Propagation, and Climate Resilience

Richharia pointed out that indigenous high-yielding varieties already exist; a 1971-74 survey in Madhya Pradesh found that 8% of indigenous types yielded over 3705 kg/Ha. He urged redefining "HYVs" to include these local high-yielders, which are also prized for their aroma and cooking quality.

To achieve this, he recommended establishing a decentralized network of "Adaptive Rice Centers" to act as local treasuries of rice germplasm. Recognizing that local growers intuitively classify and maintain thousands of cultivars, he stressed that these devoted farmers, with women as the most vital link, should lead these centers. 

To rapidly spread improved varieties, Richharia championed clonal propagation, demonstrating that healthy seeds from this method yield nearly 20% more, while exploiting hybrid vigor could increase yields by 50%. 

Crucially, this approach is inherently climate-resilient. While the gene-edited varieties currently being pushed claim drought and salinity tolerance, official ICAR trial data exposes critical gaps and shocking errors in these claims. In contrast, Richharia’s model relies on diverse indigenous varieties that ensure if some fail during extreme weather, others survive, stabilizing overall yields. Rice clones have also shown specific resistance to submergence. Furthermore, Richharia strongly supported organic practices, emphasizing compost, green manure, and neem cakes over the synthetic chemicals and fossil-fuel burdens of modern industrial farming.

The Path Forward

Today, some of Dr. Richharia’s specific seed collections and village-level knowledge have diminished due to decades of neglect, making the immediate implementation of his plan urgent. 

As the debate over gene-edited rice intensifies, the coalition urges the Agriculture Minister to:

1. Withdraw the planned release of Kamala and Pusa DST rice immediately and share all data publicly.

2. Ensure all gene editing in agriculture remains fully regulated under existing GMO regulations, withdrawing the exemption of SDN-1 and SDN-2 category plants.

3. Ensure farmers are not pushed toward patented, corporate-controlled technologies.

India is the centre of origin and diversity for rice, home to thousands of traditional farmer-bred landraces like Pokkali, Arupratham Kuruvai, and Nona Bokra that demonstrate real-world innovation in harsh conditions. Introducing gene-edited rice risks irreversibly contaminating these traditional varieties and ecosystems. 

As rice is India's most important food crop, the government must ensure that under misguided corporate and scientific pressures, it causes no harm to precious national interests. If gene-edited rice varieties are truly beneficial, they must undergo thorough, independent testing with publicly available data. However, the decisions of the Global South will be carefully watched. It is time to reject the hazardous shortcut of gene-editing, protect our indigenous biodiversity, and revive Dr. Richharia’s silent revolution.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save the Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Saving Earth for Children, A Day in 2071, and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food. His website is bharatdogra.in and his YouTube channel is Bharat Dogra | Save Earth Campaign