Mutation breeding is a pivotal technique in agricultural genetic development, focused on creating elite plant varieties while preserving their desirable traits. It involves the induction of mutations, screening for potential mutants and testing for mutant verification. This method has been widely used since the 1950s to improve crop productivity and resilience. When physical and chemical mutagen, like radiation and chemicals, cause mutations, the plants that result have better traits, like being resistant to disease and having a high yield. Ion beam irradiation, UV radiation and chemical mutagens like EMS and MNU have been central to creating diverse plant varieties. This breeding strategy has contributed to significant agricultural advances, particularly in developing high-yielding, disease-resistant crops like rice and wheat. Mutation breeding also helps make farming more sustainable by lowering the need for chemicals and making crops better able to handle climate change and other environmental stresses. Molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS), TILLING, and CRISPR-Cas9 are some of the techniques that have made mutation breeding even better, allowing for more precise and effective improvements. These advancements hold promise for boosting global food security by producing resilient crops capable of thriving in diverse and challenging environments, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.