New Delhi, July 16 (IANS) Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops during the past year, of which 94 per cent are climate-resilient and 29 are biofortified.

The Union Minister released 43 improved crop varieties, 17 advanced agricultural technologies and 14 publications to mark ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day on Thursday.

The new technologies included Basmati rice and climate-resilient rice varieties tolerant to saline and alkaline soils, export-oriented mango production technology, India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine, a Digital Swine Disease Atlas and an affordable cassava harvester for smallholders.

Appointment letters were also handed over to 150 temporary daily-wage workers, regularising their services.

To accelerate technology commercialisation and last-mile delivery, 72 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with 51 industry partners, facilitating faster transfer of ICAR-developed technologies to farmers.

Addressing the Foundation Day event, Union Minister Chouhan emphasised the need climate-resilient agriculture, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, quality agricultural education, commercialisation of technologies and wider dissemination of innovations through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network.

Union Minister Chouhan described ICAR as the trailblazer of India’s agricultural transformation, saying that the Council’s scientific research and innovations have significantly contributed to the country’s record achievements in foodgrain, horticulture, milk and fisheries production.

Presenting ICAR’s annual achievements under the theme “Reflecting on 365 Days, Reimagining Agriculture for Viksit Bharat 2047”, M.L. Jat, Department of Agricultural Research and Education Secretary and ICAR Director General, highlighted the Council’s major accomplishments during 2025-26 and outlined its roadmap for advancing agricultural research, innovation, education and extension.

He said that increased production in crops, horticulture, livestock and fisheries generated an additional economic value of nearly Rs 1.70 lakh crore during the year, with agricultural research contributing an estimated Rs 55,000 crore, demonstrating the substantial returns on investment in agricultural science.

Jat also informed that scientific technologies reached nearly one crore farmers directly and more than five crore farmers through media and social media platforms, while 18 international MoUs strengthened ICAR’s global collaborations.

He reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to promoting science-driven, demand-led and sustainable agricultural transformation for building prosperous farmers and realising the vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Addressing the event, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh called for expanding the outreach of research through the KVK network to ensure faster transfer of technologies from laboratories to farmers, livestock keepers and fishers.

He expressed confidence that the MoU between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and ICAR would further strengthen research, innovation and technology dissemination, accelerating farmers’ prosperity and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Ram Nath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture; S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; senior union government officials, former Secretaries and Directors General of ICAR, Vice-Chancellors of Agricultural Universities, Directors of ICAR institutes, scientists, innovators, representatives from industry, farmer organisations, development partners and students were present on the occasion.

–IANS

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