ICAR develops 386 improved crop varieties in a year, marks 98th Foundation Day
New Delhi, July 16 (TNT): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Thursday celebrated its 98th Foundation Day, reaffirming its commitment to promoting science-led, climate-resilient and farmer-centric agriculture to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the celebrations as the chief guest.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, NITI Aayog member K.V. Raju and Fisheries Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar were among those present.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan described ICAR as the driving force behind India’s agricultural transformation and said its scientific research had significantly contributed to record production in foodgrains, horticulture, milk and fisheries.
He said ICAR developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops during the past year, of which 94 per cent are climate-resilient and 29 are biofortified.
Emphasising that “farmers are the soul of agriculture and scientists are its brain”, the minister called for demand-driven research, climate-resilient farming, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, quality agricultural education and wider dissemination of technologies through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh stressed the need to strengthen technology transfer through KVKs to benefit farmers, livestock rearers and fishers.
He said the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and ICAR would further strengthen research and technology dissemination.
Minister of State Ram Nath Thakur said ICAR would continue to play a key role in advancing scientific research and innovation to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat, while Bhagirath Choudhary highlighted the importance of science-led research, natural farming and farmer-centric innovations in addressing climate change and improving soil health.
Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel emphasised the need to promote technologies such as sex-sorted semen, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, nano-fertilisers, micro-irrigation and fisheries to enhance farm productivity and incomes.
Presenting ICAR’s annual achievements, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, Dr M.L. Jat, said increased production in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries had generated an additional economic value of nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore during 2025-26, with agricultural research alone contributing an estimated ₹55,000 crore.
He said ICAR technologies reached nearly one crore farmers directly and over five crore farmers through media and digital platforms during the year.
The council also signed 18 international MoUs to strengthen global collaboration in agricultural research.
On the occasion, ICAR released 43 improved crop varieties, 17 advanced agricultural technologies and 14 publications.
The technologies unveiled included climate-resilient and Basmati rice varieties, export-oriented mango production technology, India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine, a Digital Swine Disease Atlas, and an affordable cassava harvester for small farmers.
ICAR also signed 72 Memoranda of Understanding with 51 industry partners to accelerate commercialisation and large-scale adoption of agricultural technologies.
Appointment letters were handed over to 150 temporary daily-wage workers, regularising their services.
The event was attended by senior government officials, former ICAR Directors General, Vice-Chancellors of agricultural universities, scientists, industry representatives, farmer organisations and students.
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