The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has demonstrated that two newly developed soybean varieties can nearly double India’s current crop yield. On 9 October 2026, the ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute in Indore conducted a harvest assessment of varieties NRC 200 68 and NRC 200 70, which produced approximately 20 quintals per hectare under adverse weather conditions. This is significant because India’s average soybean productivity remains around 10–11 quintals per hectare.
Key facts
- Two new soybean varieties: NRC 200 68 and NRC 200 70
- Yield achieved in trials: approximately 20 quintals per hectare
- Current national average soybean yield: 10–11 quintals per hectare
- Research institute: ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute, Indore
- Harvest assessment date: 9 October 2026
- Potential yield under favourable conditions: 22–25 quintals per hectare
- Research basis: All India Coordinated Research Project on Soybean
What the new varieties achieve
The two varieties were tested on one acre plots each during the harvest day. The preliminary data showed they can produce around 20 quintals per hectare even when weather conditions are unfavourable. According to research conducted by the Institute and the All India Coordinated Research Project on Soybean, yields of 15–20 quintals per hectare are achievable through improved varieties and proper production techniques. Under ideal conditions, these varieties could potentially reach 22–25 quintals per hectare.
The significance of achieving 20 quintals per hectare during a year with adverse weather conditions suggests these varieties have resilience and stability. This makes them particularly valuable for farmers across different regions, as they can perform reasonably well even when environmental conditions are challenging.
Why this matters for India’s agriculture
Soybean is an important crop for Indian farmers and the food industry. Currently, the nation’s productivity lags far behind what is scientifically possible. If these new varieties are widely adopted, farmers could potentially double their soybean output from the same amount of land. This would increase incomes for soybean growers and strengthen India’s agricultural productivity without requiring additional cultivated area.
Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, noted that improved varieties combined with scientific production methods are essential for boosting soybean productivity. He highlighted that the preliminary results from NRC 200 68 and NRC 200 70, achieved despite poor weather, are encouraging for future research directions.
Long-term research and data collection
The ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute plans to continue systematic collection and analysis of yield data over multiple years. This approach will help researchers understand how productivity varies across different regions, varieties and production conditions. Long-term data will provide a scientific foundation for estimating future productivity improvements and evaluating the success of research efforts and technology adoption programmes.
The Institute conducts such harvest assessments regularly to evaluate the actual yield capacity of different soybean varieties, measure the impact of improved farming technologies, and share information about high-yielding varieties and scientific practices with farmers. These events strengthen coordination between research institutions, agricultural extension services, and farmers themselves.
What this means for you
If you grow soybean, these new varieties represent an opportunity to increase your yield significantly once they become widely available. The fact that they perform well even in adverse weather makes them a practical choice for farmers across different regions of India.
For agricultural scientists and extension workers, this development provides evidence-based recommendations to promote among farming communities. For policymakers, the results suggest that investing in crop improvement research can deliver substantial productivity gains without additional resource inputs.
What happens next
The ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute will continue analysing the data collected during the harvest. Further testing and validation across different growing regions will be conducted to ensure the varieties perform consistently. The Institute will also work on disseminating information about these varieties and associated production practices to farmers through extension services.