Over the Past Year, ICAR Developed 386 Improved Varieties Across 44 Crops, Including 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified Varieties: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day, reaffirming commitment to Viksit Bharat 2047.
• In the past year, ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops.
• Of these, 94% are climate-resilient and 29 are biofortified varieties.
• Agricultural research contributed an estimated ₹55,000 crore to an additional economic value of nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore generated during the year.
• Technologies reached approximately 1 crore farmers directly and over 5 crore farmers through media.

Detailed Insights:

• ICAR, established in 1928, has been pivotal in strengthening India's agricultural research, education, and extension systems.
• Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted ICAR's role in India's record foodgrain, horticulture, milk, and fisheries production.
• Emphasis was placed on demand-driven research, climate-resilient agriculture, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, and wider dissemination of innovations through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network.
• New technologies released include Basmati rice, climate-resilient rice varieties tolerant to saline/alkaline soils, export-oriented mango production technology, and India's first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine.
• 72 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with 51 industry partners to accelerate technology commercialization and last-mile delivery to farmers.
• The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat is to be realized through science-led agriculture, advanced technologies, and innovation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): An autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, responsible for agricultural research and education.
• Viksit Bharat 2047: The Government of India's vision for a developed India by the 100th year of its independence in 2047.
• Climate-Resilient Varieties: Crop varieties developed to withstand and perform well under adverse climatic conditions like drought, flood, or extreme temperatures.
• Biofortified Varieties: Crop varieties bred to have enhanced nutritional value, such as increased vitamins or minerals, to combat malnutrition.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Agricultural science centers established by ICAR to provide technology assessment, refinement, and demonstration to farmers at the district level.