The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has achieved a significant milestone in conserving India's wild rice genetic resources, the government announced on Thursday, 2 July 2025. The achievement centres on a dedicated project protecting wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur district, Assam — a species scientists describe as an irreplaceable genetic reservoir for climate-resilient crop development.

About the Conservation Project

Titled In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam, the initiative has been operational since 2022. It is jointly implemented by the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) and the Assam State Biodiversity Board. The project focuses on the exploration, conservation, and characterisation of wild rice germplasm in its natural habitat — an approach known as in-situ conservation, which preserves species within their native ecosystems rather than in seed banks alone.

A key outcome of the project is the formal recognition of the Borjuli site in Sonitpur district, which has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority. This designation provides the site with legal protection and elevates its national significance in biodiversity governance.

What Government Officials Said

A team of scientists from ICAR-NBPGR briefed NRAA Chief Executive Officer Chandra Shekhar Kumar on the project's progress. Kumar commended the research team's efforts, noting that wild rice species are 'an invaluable source of genes for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally superior rice varieties.' He also stressed the need to replicate similar conservation programmes for other crop wild relatives across the country to bolster long-term food security. The meeting was facilitated by Pankaj Kumar Shah, Director (Agriculture and Horticulture), NRAA, and Anil Kumar Mishra, Technical Expert (Watershed Management), NRAA.

Why This Matters for Indian Agriculture

India is one of the world's most important centres of rice diversity, and wild relatives of cultivated rice carry genetic traits — including drought tolerance, flood resistance, and pest immunity — that modern high-yield varieties have lost over decades of selective breeding. With climate change intensifying pressure on agricultural systems, these wild gene pools are increasingly critical for future crop improvement programmes.

Notably, Oryza rufipogon is a direct ancestor of cultivated rice and has been used in breeding programmes globally. Its conservation in Assam's wetland ecosystems ensures that these traits remain accessible to researchers developing next-generation varieties. This is the first such in-situ site in the country to receive Biodiversity Heritage Site status specifically for wild rice, according to ministry information.

Broader Policy Context

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the project reflects the government's continued focus on conserving plant genetic resources and biodiversity to support sustainable agriculture. India is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), both of which mandate the conservation of crop wild relatives. The NRAA's initiative aligns with these international commitments while addressing domestic food security imperatives.

The government has indicated that expanding similar conservation efforts to other crop wild relatives remains a priority, with the Assam model potentially serving as a template for future initiatives across ecologically sensitive regions.