Musunuru, Andhra Pradesh: India has launched its first high-expansion non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds, with Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan unveiling Krisna459 and Godari234, homegrown hybrids developed to match the popping quality of leading international popcorn varieties.
The launch took place at Gourmet Popcornica’s factory in Musunuru in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
The event also concluded with the felicitation of best-performing farmers and partners from eight states across India.
The launch of the non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds marks another step in Gourmet Popcornica’s engagement with Indian farmers.
The company had earlier worked to move growers from commodity maize into value-added, contract-based popcorn corn farming, offering assured offtake and better prices for the specialised crop.
With Krisna459 and Godari234, farmers now gain access to locally bred, tested and owned genetics instead of relying on imported hybrid seeds.
The non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds have been developed to deliver higher yields, processor-grade quality and a greater share of the value generated by the crop.
“Today, we take a small but firm step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat – not a slogan, but a seed. Every acre cultivated with this indigenous hybrid is an acre that no longer needs an imported alternative, and every such acre is a saving redirected into the pockets of our own farmers, and the economic development of our great country.” – C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India
India Moves Towards Indigenous Popcorn Genetics
For years, India’s premium popcorn segment, including popcorn sold in cinemas and gourmet retail outlets, depended heavily on seed and grain imported from countries such as the USA, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.
The introduction of non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds Krisna459 and Godari234 is positioned as a homegrown response to this import dependence.
The two hybrids were bred and trial-tested over five growing seasons in partnership with leading maize research institutions in India.
According to Gourmet Popcornica, both hybrids match the kernel size and popping expansion of leading imported benchmarks while offering characteristics such as pest tolerance, short duration and yields suited to Indian farmers.
The development of the non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds represents Gourmet Popcornica’s latest contribution to the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission in agriculture, with the company seeking to strengthen domestic production of popcorn maize.
“This hybrid is precisely the kind of agri-tech innovation our Swarnandhra 2047 vision calls for, technology that does not replace the farmer, but empowers him.
When our farmers succeed, Andhra Pradesh succeeds, and when Andhra Pradesh succeeds, India moves closer to a Viksit Bharat.”, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Also Read: Gourmet Popcornica’s Agricultural Innovation Wins Praise from Vice President of India
17,500 Farmers Across Eight States to Benefit
More than 17,500 farmers across eight states, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres with Gourmet Popcornica, are expected to benefit directly from the availability of the non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds.
Farmers growing Krisna459 and Godari234 can access assured offtake and contract pricing. The company said the hybrids deliver average yields of 4.5 tonnes of wet cob per acre while meeting processor-grade specifications for popping quality.
The availability of non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds is expected to support an improvement in income for small and marginal farming families while strengthening Gourmet Popcornica’s focus on farmer growth and prosperity.
“This is not the story of a company – it is the story of over 17,500 farmers across eight states who chose to believe a better harvest was possible. Krisna459 and Godari234 are our answer to their faith in us, and our tribute to every farmer who partners with Gourmet Popcornica.
We are witnessing a moment that Indian agriculture has waited for, the day India’s own soil, India’s own science, and India’s own farmers gave birth to our first non-GMO, high-expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid seed. For me, and for everyone at Gourmet Popcornica, this is not a corporate milestone; it supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.” S.B.P. Pattabhi Rama Rao, Managing Director, Gourmet Popcornica
India’s Popcorn Maize Market Expands
India’s popcorn maize market has grown from around 50,000 tonnes in 2014-15 to roughly 1.3 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, according to the information shared by Gourmet Popcornica. Domestic production now meets close to 70% of national demand.
The increase in domestic production marks a significant shift for a market that was once heavily dependent on imports. The shift to local production has saved an estimated ₹810 crore in foreign exchange in 2025-26 alone.
With non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds such as Krisna459 and Godari234 entering wider cultivation, India is projected to remain on track to end popcorn imports altogether by 2030, keeping the value generated by the crop within Indian farms and villages.
Indigenous Hybrids Target Import Dependence
The development of non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds also marks a shift in India’s position in the global popcorn value chain. Until now, India has primarily been a consumer of popcorn genetics developed in other countries.
With Krisna459 and Godari234 meeting the same quality benchmarks as leading international varieties, the country is moving towards producing its own quality popcorn genetics.
The availability of non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds could support domestic farmers and supply chains as India expands its popcorn maize cultivation.
“I’ve spent my life growing popcorn in Nebraska, and I can tell you – what Gourmet Popcornica has built here matches anything we grow back home.
India now has the genetics, the farmers, and the scale to become one of the great popcorn-growing nations of the world, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.” Norm Krug, Founder & CEO, Preferred Popcorn, USA
For consumers, the company said the popcorn experience is expected to remain unchanged, whether consumed at cinemas, at home or on the go.
The key change is the source of the crop, with popcorn increasingly coming from Indian farms using Indian-developed hybrids.
The introduction of non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds Krisna459 and Godari234 is therefore aimed at strengthening India’s domestic popcorn production while reducing exposure to imported genetics, global shipping costs, tariffs and supply-chain disruptions.
Non-GMO Popcorn Maize Hybrid Seeds: Key Highlights
- Non-GMO popcorn maize hybrid seeds: Krisna459 and Godari234 launched in India.
- Launch location: Gourmet Popcornica factory, Musunuru, Andhra Pradesh.
- Launch by: Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan.
- Andhra Pradesh presence: Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
- Farmer reach: More than 17,500 farmers across eight states.
- Cultivation area: Nearly 40,000 acres.
- Average yield: 4.5 tonnes of wet cob per acre.
- Domestic demand: Local production meets close to 70% of India’s popcorn maize demand.
- Market growth: From around 50,000 tonnes in 2014-15 to roughly 1.3 lakh tonnes in 2025-26.
- Foreign exchange savings: Estimated ₹810 crore in 2025-26.
- Import target: India remains on track to end popcorn imports by 2030.
- Hybrids: Krisna459 and Godari234.
- Development: Bred and trial-tested across five growing seasons.
- Focus: Higher yields, processor-grade quality and reduced dependence on imported popcorn genetics.
