Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday celebrated the 97th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. Addressing a gathering of scientists, farmers, and officials, he hailed ICAR’s contributions to India’s agricultural revolution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, describing scientists as “modern-day rishis” dedicated to farmer welfare.
During the event, Shri Chouhan conferred the National Agricultural Science Awards to exceptional scientists, including women researchers and young innovators. He inaugurated the Viksit Krishi Exhibition, showcasing advanced agricultural technologies, released 10 new publications, and launched several Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen research collaborations. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, Secretary of Agriculture Devesh Chaturvedi, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, and directors of various agricultural research institutes.
Chouhan expressed gratitude to ICAR on behalf of India’s 800 million citizens benefiting from the public distribution system and countries importing Indian agricultural products. He emphasized that the Foundation Day is a moment of pride, akin to a festival, and praised scientists for their unparalleled dedication to advancing farmer welfare.
Highlighting India’s agricultural progress, the minister noted that foodgrain production has surged from an annual growth of 3.9 million tonnes (2000–2013) to 8.1 million tonnes (2013–2025), a 2.5 to 3-fold increase. Horticulture production has grown by 7.5 million tonnes annually over the past 11 years, while milk production has risen from 4.2 million tonnes annually (2000–2014) to 10.2 million tonnes (2014–2025). These achievements, driven by advanced technologies, have bolstered food reserves, enabling wheat exports and necessitating additional rice storage facilities.
Despite challenges like climate change, fragmented landholdings, and pest infestations, Shri Chouhan credited ICAR’s scientific community for sustained agricultural growth. He urged scientists to prioritize natural farming, enhance pulses and oilseeds productivity, and develop compact machinery suited for marginal farmers. The minister emphasized that research must be driven by farmers’ needs rather than centralized decisions from Delhi-based institutes.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, described as the world’s largest agricultural initiative, has identified 500 critical research topics for focused pursuit, following crop-specific consultations on soybean, cotton, sugarcane, and maize. Shri Chouhan addressed concerns over declining cotton yields due to viral attacks, including on Bt cotton, and called for collaborative efforts between ICAR and the agriculture department.
To protect farmers from exploitation, the minister announced a forthcoming toll-free grievance helpline and strict action against the sale of substandard seeds, fertilizers, or unauthorized bio-stimulants, noting that over 30,000 bio-stimulants are currently sold unregulated. Letters have been sent to state Chief Ministers urging prompt action. Shri Chouhan also proposed affordable fertilizer outlets, modeled on Jan Aushadhi Kendras, to ensure fair pricing for farmers.