Oct

Indian PM Narendra Modi dedicates two ‘healthy oil’ groundnut varieties on World Food Day

Two groundnut varieties with high oleic acid content, developed by ICRISAT together with the Indian Counci l of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Groundnut Research, are among the 17 biofortified varieties of eight crops that Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation today. These varieties contain about 80% oleic acid as compared to regular varieties (45-50% oleic acid). High levels of oleic acid results in lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (‘bad’ cholesterol) and maintains levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol), making these groundnuts the healthier choice. Higher levels of oleic acid also indicate longer shelf life, which is good for their use in the confectionary industry. The two varieties, named Girnar 4 (ICGV 15083) and Girnar 5 (ICGV 15090) have an oleic:linoleic acid ratio of 17:1. These groundnut varieties mature in about 110—113 days, and are best suited for cultivation in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as per the release proposal.

In national testing trials, Girnar 4 recorded 41% and 57% higher dry pod yields over check varieties TG 37A and GPBD 4 respectively; and 36% and 56% higher kernel yields over check varieties TG 37A and GPBD 4 respectively. Girnar 5 recorded 37% and 53% higher dry pod yields over TG 37 A and GBPD 4 respectively; and 34% and 54% higher kernel yields over TG 37A and GPBD 4 respectively.

We thank our partners ICAR-DGR; the National Mission for Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) of Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers’ Welfare (DoAC & FW), Govt. of India; Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; Regional Agricultural Research Station, ANGRAU, Tirupati; and the Regional Agricultural Research Station, PJTSAU, Palem; for working with us on our projects. We’re also grateful to the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (CRP GLDC) and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for their support towards developing improved varieties of our mandate crops.

We hope that the inclusion of Girnar 4 and Girnar 5 groundnut varieties in the list of varieties released by the Prime Minister today will play a key role in reducing the dual burden of hunger and malnutrition, especially in women and children, in India.

On the occasion of World Food Day, 15 October. Mr Modi also released a special coin of ` 75 denomination to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization today.