A Gamechanger for Rice Farmers: Introducing Improved Samba Mahsuri
Enhanced Samba Mahsuri Rice Strain Yields Higher Output and Boosts Earnings for Indian Cultivators Due to Resistance Against Diseases
Rice farming is the lifeblood of Indian agriculture, especially in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh. However, a pervasive difficulty has long-plagued rice farmers - bacterial blight, a devastating disease caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae. This disease can wipe out up to 50% of the crop, particularly in areas like East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Nizamabad.
The much-loved Samba Mahsuri rice, renowned for its fragrance and soft grains, is particularly vulnerable to this disease. To address this issue, researchers from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) in Hyderabad collaborated to develop a new variety called Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM).
What Makes ISM Different?
Unlike genetically modified (GM) crops, ISM was generated using Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), an innovative scientific technique that employs natural DNA markers to pick plants with desirable qualities, such as disease resistance. ISM carries three resistance genes - Xa21, xa13, and xa5 - making it highly resistant to bacterial blight.
Transcending its development, ISM not only maintains the original Samba Mahsuri's fine and long grains, superior cooking, and palatability qualities but also provides a yield of around 5.5 to 6 tonnes per hectare, competitive with the top varieties today.
Field-Proven Success
In the face of catastrophic challenges such as the Hudhud cyclone in 2014, ISM demonstrated its strength. While traditional Samba Mahsuri fields suffered severe losses in East Godavari, ISM cultivated fields remained healthy and produced a bountiful yield, underscoring its resilience during tough times.
Due to persistence from state agriculture departments, ICAR, and CSIR, farmers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, even Bihar, and Maharashtra are now growing ISM on more than 1.2 lakh hectares of land. The farmer-to-farmer extension and government promotion have helped spread the word, turning ISM into a household name in rice-growing regions.
More Yield, More Income, and Better Health
Frontline protests in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana attest that ISM yields 25-40% more in bacterial blight-affected areas. Even in disease-free zones, it is comparable to Samba Mahsuri in terms of yield. The best part is that ISM receives the same premium price in the market as Samba Mahsuri because of its superior grain and cooking quality.
In fact, a MANAGE Hyderabad study showed that ISM saved farmers over 240 crores in losses due to its protection against bacterial blight. ISM's overall farmer income from cultivation exceeded Rs. 600 crores, proving its immense value to Indian agriculture.
A Healthy Option for Consumers Too
ISM isn't only beneficial to farmers but also to health-conscious consumers. It has a low glycemic index (GI) of 50.9, meaning it slowly releases sugar into the bloodstream. This makes it an ideal choice for diabetics and those seeking healthier alternatives to rice.
Indeed, ISM rice is also being marketed by food companies. A licensing agreement has been established with Sri Krishna Rice Mills in Chhattisgarh to sell it as a health speciality rice.
A Brighter Future for Rice Farming
India has more than 20 lakh hectares of land suitable for rice cultivation that is susceptible to bacterial blight. Most of these areas grow fine-grained varieties such as Samba Mahsuri, HMT Sona, and PKV HMT. ISM fits perfectly with this niche: it offers the same grain quality, higher yield, and exceptional disease resistance.
Currently cultivated on approximately 1.5 lakh hectares, ISM can potentially expand to 15 lakh hectares in the near future. It has already been licensed to companies like Sri Biotech and Metahelix Life Sciences, and its adoption is expected to escalate soon.
Improved Samba Mahsuri presents a shining example of how Indian science and agricultural demands can be aligned. It provides safety, revenue, and peace of mind to millions of rice farmers. In a world where demand for disease-resistant, quality, and health-friendly rice is increasing, ISM is much more than just a variety - it's the future of sustainable rice cultivation in India.
First published on: 24 Jun 2025, 14:45 IST
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More Yield, More Income for Farmers
Frontline protests in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana demonstrate that ISM delivers higher yields, especially in bacterial blight-affected regions. In disease-free zones, its yield is similar to Samba Mahsuri. Farmers enjoy the same premium price as Samba Mahsuri due to ISM's better grain and cooking quality.
As a result, ISM is a lucrative investment for farmers, with proven savings in losses from bacterial blight of over Rs. 240 crores and overall farmer income from cultivation amounting to more than Rs. 600 crores.
A Health-Conscious Choice for Consumers
ISM offers numerous advantages to health-oriented consumers. Its low glycemic index (GI) implies that it gradually releases sugar into the bloodstream, making it ideal for diabetics and those seeking healthy rice options. In addition, ISM is being sold by food companies as a health speciality rice.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Certainly! Here are the key differences between Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM) and traditional Samba Mahsuri rice varieties:
| Aspect | Traditional Samba Mahsuri | Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM) ||---------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|| Development | Traditional variety, cultivated for decades | Developed through marker-assisted selection by IRRI and Indian research institutes || Disease Resistance | Susceptible to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) | High resistance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) strains || Yield Potential | Moderate yield | Higher yield compared to traditional Samba Mahsuri || Grain Quality | Premium grain quality, fine slender grains | Maintains premium grain quality similar to traditional Samba Mahsuri || Maturity Duration | Medium duration (around 140-150 days) | Similar maturity duration to traditional Samba Mahsuri || Stress Tolerance | Less tolerant to biotic stress (diseases) | Improved tolerance to biotic stresses, especially BLB || Adoption by Farmers | Widely grown but limited by disease losses| Increasingly favored due to reduced disease susceptibility and better yield || Use | Popular for its aroma and cooking quality| Retains aroma and cooking quality; suitable for same culinary uses |
- The Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM), a product of marker-assisted selection, is a healthier alternative for consumers as it has a low glycemic index of 50.9 compared to traditional rice varieties, making it ideal for diabetics and those seeking healthier options.
- Incorporating ISM into their fields has not only resulted in more income for farmers in various Indian states due to its higher yields but also significantly reduced losses caused by bacterial blight, saving over 240 crores in losses, as demonstrated in studies like the one conducted by MANAGE Hyderabad.
