Context:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 97th Foundation Day on 16 July 2025 in New Delhi, marked by the participation of farmers, agricultural scientists, and policymakers. Union Minister of Agriculture addressed the gathering and announced several transformative initiatives aimed at sustainable and technology-driven farming.
About ICAR – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 16 July 1929 (as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Governing Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare |
| Reconstitution | Under Societies Registration Act, 1860 |
| Parent Body | Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) |
| President (Ex-Officio) | Union Agriculture Minister |
ICAR: Role and Mandate
- National Apex Body for:
- Agricultural research, education, and extension services.
- Functions:
- Promote R&D in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, home science, agroforestry.
- Technology transfer to farmers via training, exhibitions, publications, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
- Capacity building through higher education, competitive exams (ASRB), and fellowships.
- Collaboration with national (CSIR, BARC) and global research bodies.
- Policy support on food security, agroecological transition, and sustainable farming.
Major Announcements on ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day
- Largest farmer-scientist dialogue platform launched.
- 500+ research priorities identified for region-specific and crop-specific innovations.
- Aims to connect lab-to-land via participatory research.
Field-Guided Research Agenda
- “One Team, One Goal” model for multidisciplinary, demand-driven field research.
- Focus on location-specific solutions driven by farmer feedback.
Natural Farming Promotion
- Emphasis on chemical-free and sustainable practices.
- Integration with climate-resilient agriculture and Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP).
Fertilizer Testing Kits
- Introduction of portable soil and fertilizer testing kits for:
- Detecting adulteration.
- Empowering farmers to verify input quality.
Toll-Free Grievance Redressal System
- Launch of helpline number to report:
- Spurious seeds and fertilizers.
- Unregulated bio-stimulants (over 30,000 flagged for action).
Ethical Pricing and MoU Norms
- ICAR-industry MoUs to now include mandatory pricing fairness clauses.
- Ensures farmers get affordable access to ICAR-developed technologies.
