Karnataka's DWR 162 Wheat Seed to Enhance Food Security in Indonesia

The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad, Karnataka, has distinguished itself by preparing to export its high-yield wheat variety, DWR 162, to Indonesia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance food security and agricultural collaboration between the two countries.

The Indian government has pledged to supply 100 tonnes of the DWR 162 wheat seed, which has been developed by UAS Dharwad. This agreement was unveiled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent trip to Indonesia and formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the nations.

M V Manjunath, the acting Vice Chancellor of UAS Dharwad, noted that the university’s programme for improving wheat varieties began under the guidance of esteemed wheat breeder Dr R R Hanchinal. The DWR 162 variety was developed using the shuttle breeding technique and has been officially recognised for cultivation in India's peninsular region.

DWR 162 is characterised by its resistance to prevalent races of leaf and stem rust, high yield potential, superior grain quality, and remarkable tolerance to heat stress throughout its growth cycle. These qualities enable the variety to thrive consistently in the warm climates typical of peninsular India.

"DWR 162 continues to be one of the most sought-after wheat varieties in the region, consistently achieving high breeder seed requests," said Professor Manjunath.

Indonesia has previously imported several wheat varieties developed by Indian institutions as well as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) to test their adaptability to local tropical conditions. During these trials, DWR 162 significantly outperformed other varieties.

In this ongoing collaboration, India is committed to supplying 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seed from UAS Dharwad to bolster Indonesia’s food security initiatives. This development signifies a vital step forward in the longstanding agricultural partnership between India and Indonesia, reflecting their shared dedication to building robust, sustainable, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Professor Manjunath remarked that this collaboration not only addresses immediate food security needs but also fosters shared agricultural resilience in the region.