New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is commemorating its 97th Foundation Day today with a grand celebration at the C. Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi. The event includes an Awards Ceremony and the launch of the Viksit Krishi Exhibition, highlighting the country’s strides in agriculture.
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the event, accompanied by Minister of State Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and key dignitaries such as Dr Ramesh Chand from NITI Aayog and senior ICAR officials.
This annual celebration marks nearly a century of ICAR’s contributions to Indian agriculture, from enhancing food security to pioneering research in crop science, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and natural resource management.
A key highlight of the event is the ICAR Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Puraskar, honoring outstanding contributions in the field of agriculture. The Viksit Krishi Exhibition showcases advanced technologies, innovative farming tools, and successful partnerships developed by ICAR.
In 2024-25, India set a new benchmark with record food grain production reaching 353.95 million tonnes, further cementing its position as the world’s largest producer of rice and milk. Wheat and horticultural sectors also saw significant growth.
ICAR’s strategic initiatives are driving this progress. Notably, 109 high-yield and climate-resilient crop varieties were released under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Flagship programs like ‘One Scientist One Product’ and ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ have already impacted over 1.35 crore farmers.
The research council released 679 improved field crop varieties and introduced innovative methods to boost productivity in pulses and wheat. In horticulture, ICAR launched 83 new plant varieties and distributed over 22 lakh quality planting materials.
The fisheries sector saw a breakthrough with a precision shrimp farming model, delivering yields of 30–40 tonnes per hectare. Meanwhile, 35 new Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) have been developed for better resource management, including steps to reduce methane emissions in rice cultivation.
In the livestock domain, ICAR continues to support indigenous breed registration and has introduced advanced vaccines and diagnostics for animal health. Agricultural engineering innovations were also showcased, aimed at improving mechanization and field efficiency.
The council’s focus on education and outreach through digital training programs and partnerships with agricultural universities is further strengthening farmer engagement. ICAR is also expanding its international collaboration and has secured intellectual property rights to safeguard its research outputs.
This year’s Foundation Day not only honors past achievements but also signals ICAR’s continued commitment to sustainable and future-ready farming in India.
