ICAR Develops 386 Improved Crop Varieties in a Year, 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified

ICAR has developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops during the past year, including 94% climate resilient and 29 biofortified varieties. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development said this during 98th Foundation Day celebration of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). On this occasion, ICAR also signed 72 MoUs with industry partners to accelerate technology transfer to farmers.

Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan described ICAR as the trailblazer of India's agricultural transformation, stating that the Council's scientific research and innovations have significantly contributed to the country's record achievements in foodgrain, horticulture, milk and fisheries production. 

Emphasizing that "farmers are the soul of agriculture, while scientists are its brain," he underscored the need for demand-driven research, climate-resilient agriculture, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, quality agricultural education, commercialization of technologies and wider dissemination of innovations through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj 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 Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Animal Husbandry & 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 & Farmers' Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj also addressed the occasion.

Presenting ICAR's annual achievements under the theme ‘Reflecting on 365 Days, Reimagining Agriculture for Viksit Bharat 2047,’ Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, highlighted the Council's major accomplishments during 2025-26 and outlined its roadmap for advancing agricultural research, innovation, education and extension. He stated 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.

43 improved varieties of basmati and other crops released

On the occasion 43 improved crop varieties and 17 advanced agricultural technologies were released. 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.

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