ICAR Completes 98 Years, Unveils 43 Crop Varieties and Reports 386 Improved Varieties Developed in 2025–26
19 July 2026, New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marked its 98th Foundation Day on Wednesday, highlighting nearly a century of contributions to India’s agricultural research ecosystem while showcasing significant scientific achievements made over the past year. The celebration underscored ICAR’s continued focus on climate-resilient agriculture, technology commercialization and farmer-centric innovation in support of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said ICAR developed 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops during 2025–26, with 94% of them being climate-resilient and 29 classified as biofortified varieties. He described ICAR as the driving force behind India’s agricultural transformation, crediting its scientific advancements for the country’s progress in foodgrain, horticulture, dairy and fisheries production.
The Minister emphasized that future agricultural research must be demand-driven and aligned with emerging challenges such as climate change, self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, quality agricultural education and faster commercialization of technologies. He also stressed the importance of expanding technology dissemination through the nationwide network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
The Foundation Day, celebrated annually on July 16, commemorates the establishment of ICAR in 1928. Over the past 98 years, the institution has played a central role in strengthening India’s agricultural research, education and extension systems while supporting national food and nutritional security.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh called for greater outreach of agricultural innovations through KVKs to accelerate technology transfer to farmers, livestock rearers and fishers. He noted that the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and ICAR would further strengthen collaborative research and innovation.
Ministers of State Bhagirath Choudhary, Ram Nath Thakur and Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel also highlighted the importance of science-led agriculture in achieving sustainable growth. Their remarks focused on natural farming, climate resilience, improved soil health, advanced breeding technologies, fisheries development, micro-irrigation and nano-fertilizers as key components of India’s agricultural roadmap.
Presenting ICAR’s annual performance under the theme “Reflecting on 365 Days, Reimagining Agriculture for Viksit Bharat 2047,” Dr M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, outlined the Council’s achievements during 2025–26.
According to Dr Jat, increased production across crops, horticulture, livestock and fisheries generated an estimated ₹1.70 lakh crore in additional economic value, while agricultural research alone contributed nearly ₹55,000 crore, highlighting the economic returns from investment in agricultural science.
He added that ICAR’s scientific interventions reached nearly one crore farmers directly and more than five crore farmers through media and digital platforms. During the year, the Council also signed 18 international MoUs, strengthening global collaboration in agricultural research.
As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, ICAR released 43 improved crop varieties, 17 advanced agricultural technologies and 14 publications.
Among the notable technologies launched were new Basmati rice varieties, climate-resilient rice suitable for saline and alkaline soils, export-oriented mango production technology, India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine, a Digital Swine Disease Atlas, and a low-cost cassava harvester designed for smallholder farmers.
To accelerate technology commercialization and improve last-mile delivery, ICAR signed 72 Memoranda of Understanding with 51 industry partners, aimed at facilitating faster transfer of research innovations from laboratories to farmers.
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