The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marked its 98th Foundation Day with a strong emphasis on innovation, climate resilience and farmer-centric development, as Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen India’s agricultural ecosystem in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Addressing scientists, policymakers, researchers and members of the agricultural community at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi, the Minister outlined a series of transformative initiatives aimed at promoting “Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan“ through scientific research, technology dissemination and institutional reforms.
Seven-Point Agenda for Agricultural Transformation
The Minister announced seven major goals that will guide ICAR’s work in the coming years. A key highlight is the development of 100 Climate Smart Villages before ICAR completes its centenary. These model villages will showcase climate-resilient farming practices, integrated agriculture, efficient water management and soil conservation techniques to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.
Another significant initiative is “One Institute-One Grand Innovation,” under which every ICAR institute has been tasked with delivering at least one breakthrough innovation within the next two years. The innovations may include advanced crop varieties, livestock vaccines, digital farming tools or climate-smart technologies capable of delivering nationwide benefits.
The Minister also set a target of ensuring that ICAR technologies reach 100 million farmers by the organisation’s 100th Foundation Day. He said wider adoption of scientific innovations would be crucial for improving productivity, sustainability and farm incomes across the country.
Mission ICAR-100 to Expand Outreach
As part of preparations for ICAR’s centenary celebrations, Shri Chouhan proposed launching Mission ICAR-100, under which Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will evolve beyond conventional training centres into innovation hubs, climate advisory centres, startup support platforms and technology demonstration centres.
He also suggested organising a nationwide outreach programme around Foundation Day, during which every KVK would visit at least 100 villages to demonstrate the latest agricultural technologies and research directly to farmers.
To further improve technology transfer, the Minister proposed creating an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform. The digital platform will provide farmers with free access to scientific advisories, instructional videos, weather updates, soil testing guidance and market information through their mobile phones, making knowledge accessible directly from the field.
Focus on Quality Agriculture and Farmer Protection
While acknowledging India’s achievements in foodgrain, horticulture, dairy and fisheries production, Shri Chouhan stressed that the country’s future agricultural strategy must prioritise quality alongside quantity. He said producing high-quality, export-oriented and nutritious agricultural products would become increasingly important as India expands its presence in international markets.
The Minister also raised concerns over the growing problem of counterfeit seeds and pesticides, which continue to cause financial losses for farmers. He called for stronger legal provisions against fake agricultural inputs and urged scientists to develop simple field-level diagnostic technologies that would enable farmers to verify the quality of seeds and pesticides before use.
Financial Self-Reliance for ICAR
In another major announcement, Shri Chouhan encouraged ICAR to strengthen its financial sustainability through commercialisation of research outputs. He proposed a target of generating ₹10,000 crore in internal resources by 2029 through technology licensing, improved crop varieties, vaccines and innovation-based partnerships, while reaffirming continued government support for agricultural research.
New Technologies and Research Outputs Released
The Foundation Day celebrations also witnessed the release of 43 new crop varieties, 17 technologies and products, and 14 publications covering diverse areas such as disease-resistant crops, biofortified varieties, livestock and fisheries vaccines, and digital agriculture solutions.
More than 70 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and technology licensing agreements were signed during the event, reflecting stronger collaboration between ICAR, private industry and startups to accelerate the adoption of scientific innovations by farmers.
The Minister praised ICAR’s contributions towards controlling major livestock diseases, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and said indigenous research would play a crucial role in achieving self-reliance in seeds, fertilisers and animal healthcare.
Scientists Called Nation Builders
Describing scientists as equal partners in India’s agricultural progress, Shri Chouhan remarked that while farmers are the soul of agriculture, scientists serve as its intellectual strength. He urged researchers to view their work as a national mission rather than merely a profession and encouraged them to dedicate their knowledge and innovation towards improving farmers’ lives.
The event was attended by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairy and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State Ramnath Thakur, Bhagirath Choudhary and Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Secretary DARE and Director General of ICAR Dr. M. L. Jat, senior officials, scientists, students and representatives from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ICAR institutes and agricultural universities across the country, many of whom participated virtually. The celebrations underscored ICAR’s continuing role in shaping the future of Indian agriculture through research, innovation and farmer empowerment.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
