Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges research prioritising farmers, markets and consumers to boost incomes, resilience and global competitiveness at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s annual meeting in New Delhi.

The 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society, held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, set out a clear roadmap for the next phase of India’s agricultural transformation. The emphasis was unambiguous: research must become demand-driven, centred on the needs of farmers, markets and consumers, and deliver measurable benefits on the ground rather than remain confined to laboratories.

Chouhan declared that without developed agriculture, the dream of a developed India cannot be realised. He called for moving beyond the goal of simply increasing production to building a strong identity “from farm to global market.” Research success, he stressed, should be judged by how quickly the right solutions reach farmers and improve their livelihoods, particularly those of small and marginal cultivators who form the backbone of Indian agriculture.

Demand-Driven Research at the Core

“Research alone is not enough; the right research, at the right time, must address the right problem and reach the farmer quickly – that is the true measure of success,” Chouhan said. He urged the creation of an ecosystem in which scientific priorities are shaped by real-world challenges faced by farmers, evolving market demands and changing consumer preferences. Greater dialogue among scientists, policymakers, farmers, industry and other stakeholders, along with clearer prioritisation of research objectives, was essential, he added. Innovative ideas, described as “seeds,” must be translated into practical solutions and measurable impact.

The minister highlighted integrated farming systems as a key pathway to diversify incomes and build resilience for small and marginal farmers. Timely access to quality seeds and planting material, balanced fertiliser use, improved soil health and sustainable agricultural practices were identified as critical supporting measures. Strengthening India’s export viability through better quality, nutrition, processing, packaging, shelf life and compliance with global standards also featured prominently in his address. Stronger ICAR-industry partnerships were called for to accelerate the transfer of technologies from laboratories to fields.

Push for Self-Reliance and Sectoral Integration

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary noted the significant strides made in agriculture and allied sectors since 2014 and identified self-reliance as the next priority. He emphasised strengthening domestic production of pulses, oilseeds and seeds, along with livestock and value-added processing. Climate-resilient farming, soil health, sustainable resource management, stronger Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and better market linkages were highlighted as means to raise farmers’ incomes. ICAR and the network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), he said, remain vital for taking science and technology to the grassroots, supporting the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying SP Singh Baghel pointed to India’s progress across foodgrains, horticulture, dairy, fisheries, meat and eggs. He attributed the gains to scientific research, technology and the collective efforts of scientists, farmers and governments at the Centre and in the states. Referring to the legacies of the Green and White Revolutions, he underlined India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer and the growth in fisheries production and exports. Greater integration of crops with livestock, dairy, fisheries and poultry was needed to enhance rural incomes, he said.

Achievements Reported by ICAR

ICAR Director General and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Dr ML Jat presented the Council’s progress over the past year. Foodgrain production rose by around 19 million tonnes, with significant growth also recorded in horticulture, milk and fisheries. Scientists released 386 new crop varieties, of which 94 per cent were climate-resilient and 29 were biofortified, contributing to productivity, resilience and nutrition security.

Breakthroughs were reported in genomics, genome editing, livestock health, fisheries, soil health and natural farming. The development of an indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine was highlighted as a major advance supporting pig health and farmers’ livelihoods. On the commercialisation front, around 805 intellectual property applications were filed, while technology commercialisation was strengthened across 36 institutions. The national gender platform for agri-food systems now connects more than 9,000 establishments, reinforcing women’s participation in the sector.

Centre-State Collaboration and Institutional Steps

The meeting brought together Union and state ministers and other stakeholders from across the agricultural and allied sectors. Participants included ministers from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Among them, Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Agriculture Production Javid Ahmad Dar called for greater focus on region-specific research suited to the Union Territory’s unique agro-climatic conditions and potential in horticulture and allied sectors. He proposed establishing a State Council for Agricultural Research to improve coordination.

A memorandum of understanding was signed with industry and CSR donors to strengthen partnerships and mobilise resources for research and development. Four ICAR publications were released. The ICAR Annual Report 2025–26 and the annual accounts for 2024–25 (with the auditor’s report) were presented for adoption. Proposals for updating the rules and bye-laws of the ICAR society were also considered. Members shared suggestions on achievements and future expectations, providing inputs for the research agenda.

Participating ministers expressed satisfaction over the rise in foodgrain production and overall progress, while reaffirming commitment to stronger Centre-state collaboration for farmers’ prosperity.