ICAR marked its 98th Foundation Day in New Delhi, with the Council reaffirming its focus on science-based, climate-resilient and farmer-centric agricultural development. At the event, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said ICAR had developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops over the past year. Of these, 94 per cent were climate-resilient and 29 were biofortified, part of an effort to strengthen productivity, food security and climate preparedness across the country.
ICAR Foundation Day falls on July 16 every year, marking the Council’s establishment in 1928. Over the 98 years since, it has shaped agricultural research, education and extension work in India, feeding into higher crop yields, better farmer incomes and food security nationally.
Chouhan calls ICAR the driving force behind India’s agricultural transformation
Chouhan called ICAR the driving force behind India’s agricultural transformation, pointing to its role in record output of foodgrains, horticulture, milk and fisheries. “Farmers are the soul of agriculture, while scientists are its brain,” he said, pushing for more demand-driven research, climate-resilient farming, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, and better commercialisation and dissemination of new technologies through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra network.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh called for widening the reach of agricultural research through KVKs so technologies reach farmers, livestock rearers and fishers faster. He also said the new MoU between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and ICAR should strengthen research, innovation and technology dissemination going forward.
Other officials at the event, including Ram Nath Thakur, Bhagirath Choudhary and Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, spoke about the role of science-led agriculture, natural farming, livestock technology, fisheries, micro-irrigation and nano-fertilizers in reaching the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Research adds nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore in economic value
Under the theme “Reflecting on 365 Days, Reimagining Agriculture for Viksit Bharat 2047,” Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, presented the Council’s yearly achievements. He said increased output in agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries added close to ₹1.70 lakh crore in economic value during 2025–26, with agricultural research contributing an estimated ₹55,000 crore of that figure.
Jat also said technologies had reached nearly one crore farmers directly, and more than five crore through media and social media. The Council signed 18 international MoUs over the year to build on its global partnerships.
New technologies launched, including an indigenous swine fever vaccine
At the event, ICAR released 43 improved crop varieties, 17 new agricultural technologies and 14 publications. Among the new technologies: Basmati and climate-resilient rice varieties, export-oriented mango production technology, India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine, a Digital Swine Disease Atlas, and a low-cost cassava harvester built for small farmers.
Key Takeaway: To speed up technology transfer and commercial adoption, ICAR signed 72 MoUs with 51 industry partners. The Council also handed appointment letters to 150 daily-wage workers, regularising their positions. In its 98th year, ICAR pointed to 386 new crop varieties, most of them climate-resilient, alongside new technologies, deeper industry ties and wider outreach to farmers as evidence of its continued push toward Viksit Bharat 2047 and sustainable farming.
MCQ:
1. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrates its Foundation Day every year on:
A. 26 January
B. 16 July
C. 15 August
D. 2 October
2. Which of the following statements regarding ICAR’s announcements on its 98th Foundation Day is correct?
A. All newly developed crop varieties were biofortified.
B. ICAR launched India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine.
C. ICAR was established in 1947.
D. ICAR developed improved varieties for only rice and wheat.
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