ICAR Celebrates 97 Years: Focus on Agri Innovation and Farmer Welfare

Key Highlights

• ICAR celebrated its 97th Foundation Day in New Delhi.

• National Agricultural Science Awards were given to scientists.

• Food grain production rose from 3.9 to 8.1 million tonnes annually.

• Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan was launched with 500 research areas.

• A toll-free helpline has been announced to report fake seeds and fertilizers.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)celebrated its 97th Foundation Day with a strong focus on agricultural innovation, sustainability, and farmer welfare. The event was held at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led the celebrations, joined by scientists, farmers, senior officials, and other dignitaries.

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A Tribute to Agricultural Scientists

During his speech, Shri Chouhan praised ICAR for its crucial role in developing Indian agriculture. He called scientists the "modern-day rishis" and credited them for their contributions to farmer welfare. He also appreciated the efforts made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which have led to rapid growth in Indian agriculture.

National Awards and Major Launches

As part of the celebration, the National Agricultural Science Awards were presented to outstanding scientists, including young and female researchers. The event also featured the launch of the Viksit Krishi Exhibition, which displayed modern farming tools and machinery designed to help farmers improve productivity.

In addition, 10 new ICAR publications were released. Several research agreements (MoUs) were also signed to boost cooperation in the agriculture sector. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Agriculture Secretary Shri Devesh Chaturvedi were present, along with ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat and directors from other agricultural research institutions.

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India’s Strong Progress in Food Production

Highlighting India’s achievements in agriculture, Shri Chouhan said the Foundation Day of ICAR is a proud moment for the nation. He thanked ICAR scientists on behalf of over 80 crore Indians who receive food grains through the public distribution system.

He shared key data to show India’s progress:

• Between 2000 and 2013, food grain production increased by 3.9 million tonnes per year.

• Between 2013 and 2025, the growth rose to 8.1 million tonnes per year, nearly three times more.

• Horticulture production has gone up by 7.5 million tonnes per year over the last 11 years.

• Milk production rose from 4.2 million tonnes/year (2000–2014) to 10.2 million tonnes/year (2014–2025).

These achievements helped India improve food storage and increase exports, especially of wheat and rice.

Tackling Agricultural Challenges with Innovation

The minister acknowledged that challenges like climate change, pests, and small landholdings still affect farmers. However, he highlighted that India’s agriculture sector is growing steadily. He praised ICAR scientists for helping to overcome these issues and urged them to:

• Focus more on natural farming.

• Develop improved oilseeds and pulses.

• Create small tools suitable for farmers with limited land.

He stressed that agricultural research must be directly connected to the real problems faced by farmers and not limited to decisions taken in government offices.

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Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan: A Global-Scale Initiative

Shri Chouhan also spoke about the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, calling it the world’s largest agricultural campaign. Under this mission, ICAR has identified 500 research areas covering important crops like:

• Soybean

• Maize

• Sugarcane

• Cotton

However, he also mentioned ongoing problems with cotton yields, especially Bt cotton, which is facing damage due to virus attacks. He urged ICAR and the agriculture department to work together on finding a solution.

New Safety Measures and Support for Farmers

To protect farmers from fake agricultural products, Shri Chouhan announced the launch of a new toll-free helpline. Farmers can use this number to report problems such as:

• Fake seeds

• Substandard fertilizers

• Illegal bio-stimulants

He informed that over 30,000 bio-stimulants are being sold without proper approval. The central government has already written to the Chief Ministers of various states to take strict action against this.

As a solution, Shri Chouhan suggested setting up low-cost fertilizer stores like Jan Aushadhi pharmacies. These stores will help farmers buy quality fertilizers at affordable rates.

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CMV360 Says

ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day highlighted its major contributions to the Indian agricultural sector. From food and milk production to research and farmer protection, ICAR continues to be a vital pillar of India’s farming growth. With new innovations, stronger cooperation, and better support systems, the future of Indian agriculture looks promising.