At ICAR AGM, Shivraj Calls for Demand-Driven Farm Research Focused on Farmers, Markets and Consumers

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for a fundamental shift in India’s agricultural research priorities, saying research must be driven by the needs of farmers, markets and consumers rather than remaining confined to laboratories. He stressed that the success of research should be measured by how quickly and effectively its outcomes reach farmers and deliver tangible benefits.

Addressing the 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, Chouhan said India’s ambition of becoming a developed country cannot be achieved without a developed agriculture sector. He called for moving beyond the objective of simply increasing production and building a stronger agricultural identity “from farm to global market”.

“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 called for a demand-driven research ecosystem that responds to farmers’ requirements, market trends and changing consumer preferences. According to him, agricultural research should generate measurable improvements in farm incomes and strengthen the resilience of small and marginal farmers.

Chouhan highlighted integrated farming systems as an important pathway for improving farm returns and resilience. He also stressed timely availability of quality seeds and planting material, balanced fertiliser application, improved soil health and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

The minister said India’s agricultural research must also support the country’s ambitions in global markets. He emphasised the need to improve quality, nutrition, processing, packaging and shelf life of agricultural products while ensuring compliance with international standards. Stronger collaboration between ICAR and industry, he said, would be critical for speeding up the transfer of technologies from research institutions to farmers.

He also called for greater interaction among scientists, policymakers, farmers, industry and other stakeholders to identify research priorities and ensure that innovations are converted into practical solutions. “Our hard work, our research and our efforts can transform India’s image and change the destiny of our farmers,” he said.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary said India has made significant progress in agriculture and allied sectors since 2014, but the next priority should be achieving greater self-reliance. He highlighted the need to strengthen domestic production of pulses, oilseeds and seeds, along with livestock, processing and value addition.

Choudhary also stressed climate-resilient farming, soil health, sustainable resource management and stronger Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and market linkages to increase farmers’ incomes. He underlined the role of ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in taking scientific innovations and technologies to the field.

Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S.P. Singh Baghel highlighted the expansion of foodgrain, horticulture, dairy, fisheries, meat and egg production. He said scientific research, technology and the combined efforts of farmers, scientists and governments had played a key role in this transformation.

Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, M.L. Jat presented the council’s achievements over the past year. Foodgrain production increased by around 19 million tonnes, while horticulture, milk and fisheries also recorded growth. ICAR released 386 new crop varieties, including climate-resilient varieties accounting for 94% and biofortified varieties accounting for 29%.

Jat also highlighted advances in genomics, genome editing, livestock health, fisheries, soil health and natural farming. The development of an indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine was described as a major breakthrough for pig health and farmers’ livelihoods.

During the year, ICAR filed around 805 intellectual property applications, while technology commercialisation was strengthened across 36 institutions. The National Gender Platform for Agri-Food Systems now connects more than 9,000 establishments, supporting greater participation of women in agriculture.

The AGM also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding with industry and CSR donors to strengthen partnerships and mobilise resources for agricultural research and development. ICAR Annual Report 2025-26 and annual accounts for 2024-25 were also presented for adoption.