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ICAR unveils roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047
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Saturday, 18 July, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our bureau, Mumbai
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The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in the NASC Complex, New Delhi, with Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiling an ambitious roadmap to transform Indian agriculture under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Addressing scientists, policymakers and members of the agricultural community, the Minister outlined a series of initiatives aimed at achieving "Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan." The roadmap includes the development of 100 Climate Smart Villages, extending ICAR technologies to 100 million farmers, launching the "One Institute-One Grand Innovation" programme, establishing an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform, strengthening legal action against counterfeit agricultural inputs and making ICAR financially self-reliant through technology commercialisation.
A significant highlight of the event was the announcement that more than 150 ICAR employees had been granted regular appointments for the first time. Calling it the correction of a long-standing injustice, Chouhan said the move marked an important milestone for the organisation and congratulated the employees on receiving their long-awaited recognition.
Describing the partnership between farmers and scientists as the foundation of India's agricultural success, the Minister said, "If farmers are the soul of agriculture, scientists are its brain. Miracles happen in our fields only when government policy, farmers' hard work and scientific talent work together." He paid tribute to generations of agricultural scientists and former ICAR leaders for laying the foundation of India's agricultural self-reliance.
While acknowledging India's achievements in foodgrain, horticulture, milk and fisheries production, Chouhan stressed that the next phase of agricultural growth must prioritise quality over quantity. He emphasised the need to develop climate-resilient farming systems, district-specific planning and risk management strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change and El Niño. He also noted that expanding global market access under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi requires India to produce high-quality, export-oriented agricultural products.
The Minister announced seven major goals for ICAR ahead of its centenary celebrations. These include developing 100 Climate Smart Villages to demonstrate sustainable farming practices; ensuring every ICAR institute delivers at least one transformational innovation within the next two years under the "One Institute-One Grand Innovation" initiative; and reaching 100 million farmers with ICAR technologies by the organisation's 100th year.
He also proposed observing the next two years as "Mission ICAR-100," under which Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) would evolve into innovation hubs, climate advisory centres and startup support centres. As part of the initiative, KVKs would undertake a nationwide outreach programme covering at least 100 villages each to demonstrate ICAR technologies and research.
To strengthen digital access for farmers, Chouhan proposed the creation of an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform, enabling farmers to access scientific advisories, crop recommendations, weather forecasts, soil testing guidance and market information directly on their mobile phones.
Expressing concern over counterfeit seeds and pesticides, the Minister called for stronger legal provisions against fake agricultural inputs and urged scientists to develop simple diagnostic tools that would allow farmers to verify the quality of seeds and pesticides in the field.
In a bid to strengthen institutional sustainability, Chouhan proposed that ICAR should generate Rs 10,000 crore in internal resources by 2029 through commercialisation of crop varieties, vaccines, technologies and licensing, while assuring continued government support.
The Foundation Day celebrations also witnessed the release of 43 new crop varieties, 17 technologies and products, and 14 publications spanning high-yielding and disease-resistant crops, biofortified varieties, livestock and fisheries vaccines, and digital agricultural innovations. More than 70 Memorandums of Understanding and technology licensing agreements were signed to accelerate the transfer of ICAR innovations to farmers through partnerships with the private sector and startups.
Highlighting ICAR's contribution to controlling Foot-and-Mouth Disease and other animal diseases, the Minister said India's agricultural self-reliance would be further strengthened through indigenous vaccines, improved crop varieties and advanced technologies.
Calling scientific research a national mission, Chouhan urged scientists to dedicate themselves to fulfilling farmers' aspirations and contribute wholeheartedly to transforming Indian agriculture. He expressed confidence that collective efforts by scientists, policymakers and farmers would help realise the vision of Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan by 2047.
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, ICAR Dr. M. L. Jat, and Additional Secretary Gyanendra D. Tripathi also addressed the gathering.
Scientists, employees, students and members of the agricultural community from ICAR institutes, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country participated in the event virtually, making the 98th Foundation Day a nationwide celebration of India's agricultural research ecosystem.
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