Introduction

With rapid increase in population and urbanization, there will be a need to increase productivity by nearly 50% by 2050. Despite being the hub for crop biodiversity, increasing crop productivity per unit resources in the NEH region remains a challenge. The fragile ecosystem of NE region makes this region a challenge to identify and address agricultural issues of both regional and national interest. The fact that, 80% soils of this region are acidic (pH in the range of 4-5) and receives heavy rainfall, makes the issues pertaining to increasing productivity more complex. To meet these demands it is necessary that researchers from different specialized areas like genetics, breeding, molecular biology and biotechnology work together towards sustainable solution to achieve the target.

Issues and Strategy

Rice is the principal crop cultivated during the Kharif season throughout the North Eastern Hill Region (NEHR) of India. Despite its importance, the region remains insufficient in rice production and has not achieved full self-sufficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop input-use efficient rice varieties that are better suited to the conditions and requirements of farmers in the region, where cultivation is largely organic and external inputs are minimal. Varieties capable of efficiently utilizing low levels of phosphorus and tolerating high concentrations of iron, aluminum, manganese, and other elements commonly found in the acidic soils of the region are particularly desirable.

The identification and utilization of molecular markers associated with tolerance to nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, as well as abiotic stresses such as cold and low light intensity, will significantly aid in breeding rice varieties adapted to the Northeastern environment. In addition to abiotic stresses, several biotic stresses such as blast and bacterial blight cause severe yield losses. Hence, the development of durable disease-resistant varieties carrying multiple resistance gene combinations is essential. More than sixty genes conferring resistance to leaf blast have been reported in rice, while the genetic basis of neck blast resistance is only beginning to be understood. Addressing these challenges will constitute key research priorities in rice improvement for the region. Furthermore, the Northeastern region is rich in indigenous specialty rice varieties that are valued for their micronutrient content and aroma. Many of these varieties possess bold grains, distinctive aroma, and attractive red or purple coloration. Breeding strategies aimed at enhancing the yield potential of such high-quality rice types are necessary. This will involve systematic characterization of germplasm for important agronomic and quality traits using molecular markers, as well as the development of breeding populations to improve yield, quality characteristics, and resistance to pests and diseases. The ultimate goal is to develop specialty rice varieties possessing desirable traits along with associated molecular markers, enabling their cultivation, maintenance, and commercialization at premium prices. Such markers will also be useful for seed stock maintenance and DNA fingerprinting of varieties.

Maize is another important crop cultivated in the region, primarily used as animal feed. Although several maize hybrids have been released in the past, there remains a need to develop hybrids specifically suited to the unique agro-ecological conditions of the Northeastern Hill Region (NEHR). These hybrids should possess tolerance to aluminum toxicity, waterlogging, and resistance to diseases such as turcicum leaf blight. Additionally, maize hybrids with high yield potential and enriched levels of essential amino acids are required to improve their suitability as animal feed. Molecular markers already available for certain traits, such as Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and turcicum blight resistance, can be utilized for early selection and identification of suitable parental lines. However, a sustainable maize improvement program will require comprehensive characterization of existing hybrids and associated markers. Furthermore, new markers linked to newly developed hybrids will need to be identified to meet the specific needs of the region.

In many states of the North Eastern Hill Region (NEHR), a large proportion of agricultural land remains fallow during the rabi season. There is an urgent need to utilize this land for cultivating crops such as rapeseed–mustard (for both vegetable and oil production), lentil, linseed, and peas. Increasing the production of oilseeds and pulses will not only enhance the income of resource-poor farmers but also contribute significantly to nutritional security. Although efforts in this direction have already been initiated, it is important to ensure that rabi cropping becomes an integral component of the agricultural system in the region. This will require the introduction of crop varieties that are tolerant to acidic soils, short in duration, and capable of producing reasonable yields with minimal water requirements. A well-planned molecular breeding approach can accelerate the development of such varieties and help achieve results more rapidly. Additionally, research on transgenic pulses and mustard with improved resistance to insects and pests may further contribute to achieving these goals.

The Northeastern region is also home to a wide range of unique plant species such as pungent chilies, ginger, turmeric, tree bean, Khasi mandarin, chow-chow, and several others. Being one of the global biodiversity hotspots, the region holds immense potential for the conservation and utilization of these indigenous crops. The development of molecular markers for early selection, varietal identification, and DNA barcoding will play a crucial role in the targeted utilization and improvement of these species. Moreover, many of these crops lack adequate availability of quality planting material. Micropropagation techniques can be employed to produce large quantities of healthy and disease-free planting material, which can subsequently be distributed to farmers.

Organic agriculture has the potential to provide the much-needed financial security for farmers in the Northeastern region. However, low crop productivity and cropping intensity often limit the economic benefits associated with high-value organic produce. Organic farming systems restrict the use of inorganic inputs for soil fertility management, pest and disease control, and soil amelioration. Although several organic alternatives are available, ensuring their large-scale production and availability remains challenging. In this context, the development and deployment of crop varieties that are genetically efficient in input utilization, tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and widely adaptable would represent a sustainable and economically viable solution. The initiatives undertaken by the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, in both basic and applied research to enhance crop productivity in the Northeastern region need to be further expanded and strengthened to achieve significant impact. Farmer-participatory breeding and selection programs using promising varieties across different crop species can facilitate rapid and effective dissemination of improved technologies among farming communities.

Human resource development in the field of crop improvement will remain a critical priority to meet the growing demands of agricultural research and development. Students must be trained in modern plant breeding approaches, molecular techniques, and plant tissue culture to equip them with the necessary skills to address emerging challenges in agriculture. The region and the nation require not only dedicated researchers but also innovative entrepreneurs capable of applying advanced technologies to agricultural development.

The School of Crop Improvement (SCI) offers postgraduate and doctoral programs aimed at developing expertise in these areas. The School offers Master’s degree programs in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) and Genetics and Plant Breeding (GPB), as well as Ph.D. programs in the same disciplines. The Master’s program is a two-year full-time course following the ICAR curriculum and has been offered at the School of Crop Improvement since 2009. The Ph.D. program in Genetics and Plant Breeding is a three-year full-time program conducted in accordance with the ICAR (BSMA) course curriculum.