These crops have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and release of new varieties of crops is the example of a "lab to land" programme. 

• ICAR has been running crop-improvement programme to develop new crop varieties and hybrids with wider adaptability and higher yield.
• Crop-improvement process uses different strategies such as
  • Genomics-assisted selection
  • Phenomics (systematic measurement and analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits)
  • Conventional breeding or Biotechnology-based approaches like genetic engineering and genome editing.

Need of Crop Improvement 

• Managing Impact of Climate Change: Climate resilient seeds can yield good crop even in adverse weather (heat waves, droughts, etc.). E.g. Bt cotton
  • Climate resilient crops will reduce crop losses due to diseases and pests attacks. 
• Food Security: Agricultural yields are projected to drop by 16% by 2030 (World Economic Forum).
• Nutritional Security: Government seeks to promote biofortified crops by linking them with the programmes like Mid-Day Meal (PM Poshan Scheme), etc., to make India free from malnutrition. 
  • Also, these are affordable as biofortified varieties crop does not involve any additional cost on preparing the enriched food grains. E.g. vitamin-A rich maize grains.
• Raising Farmers Income: High-yielding and adaptable crop varieties contribute to higher incomes.