NITI Aayog Proposes AgriBio 2.0 Mission to Develop Climate Resilient Crops Using CRISPR Technology

NITI Aayog has proposed an ambitious AgriBio 2.0 mission that seeks to transform Indian agriculture through advanced biotechnology, recommending the large-scale deployment of CRISPR-based gene editing, biofertilisers and biopesticides to develop climate-resilient crops, improve farm incomes and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers by 2035.

The proposal forms part of NITI Aayog's report, Roadmap for Building India as a Leading BioEconomy Powerhouse by 2035, which identifies AgriBio 2.0 as one of six National BioMissions that will drive India's bioeconomy over the next decade. The mission will be jointly led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. Its primary goal is to develop crop varieties capable of withstanding drought, heat, salinity and emerging pest threats while promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Unlike launching a new standalone programme, the report recommends integrating several existing agricultural schemes into a single coordinated framework. These include the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Food Security Mission, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Soil Health Card Scheme and DBT-led initiatives such as Biotech-KISAN, the Biotech Krishi Innovation Science Applications Network, Farmer Resource Groups, the Biofuel and Bioenergy Mission and Biofertilizer and Biopesticide Quality Control Laboratories. The objective is to accelerate the transfer of scientific innovations from laboratories to farmers' fields without duplicating existing efforts.

A major focus of AgriBio 2.0 is the use of next-generation biotechnology. The report advocates deploying CRISPR-based gene editing, genomic selection and molecular breeding to develop improved crop varieties capable of tolerating extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. According to the report, these technologies could help Indian agriculture cope with increasing incidences of drought, heat stress, salinity and emerging pests while supporting long-term food security.

The mission also places strong emphasis on expanding the use of biological farm inputs. NITI Aayog recommends promoting high-quality biofertilisers, biopesticides, microbial consortia and soil-health enhancers to reduce chemical fertiliser use while improving soil health and environmental sustainability. The initiative is aligned with national efforts under the Bharat Krishi Initiative and the Sustainable Agriculture Mission to encourage balanced nutrient management and environmentally responsible farming.

To ensure farmers receive reliable technologies, AgriBio 2.0 proposes extensive field validation and demonstrations through Biotech-KISAN hubs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state agricultural universities. The report says quality-first deployment is essential for building farmer confidence and ensuring successful adoption of improved crop varieties and bioinputs across the country.

Another key recommendation is the establishment of BioInput Production and Innovation Clusters across India. These clusters, to be co-located with existing rural biotechnology hubs, would manufacture indigenous biofertilisers, biostimulants, biopesticides and microbial seed coatings. The proposed clusters would also be integrated with the PM PRANAM Scheme, the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Initiative and state-level organic and natural farming missions to expand access to eco-friendly agricultural technologies.

The report says AgriBio 2.0 should not merely improve crop productivity but also protect soil health, minimise ecological damage and safeguard human, animal and environmental health. By 2035, the mission aims to commercialise climate-resilient crop varieties, mainstream bioinputs across India's major cropping systems and establish the country as a global leader in sustainable agricultural biotechnology.

AgriBio 2.0 forms part of NITI Aayog's broader bioeconomy roadmap, which seeks to expand India's bioeconomy from $195.3 billion in 2025 to $691 billion by 2035, generate over 30 million high-value jobs, and ultimately reach $2.6 trillion by 2047, positioning India among the world's leading biotechnology.