Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Attends ICAR Foundation Day; Emphasizes Demand-Driven Research and Farmers’ Welfare
17 July 2025, New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in the Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) held in Delhi today. Addressing the gathering, Minister Chouhan highlighted a significant shift in agricultural research, stating that going forward, research will no longer be confined to institutes like Pusa but will be demand-driven and tailored to the needs of farmers — “One Team, One Task” will drive this transformation.
Minister Chouhan appealed to farmers to report any suspicion of counterfeit fertilizers or seeds by immediately calling the toll-free number 18001801551, warning that dishonest actors will not be spared. He also announced that stringent Seed and Pesticide Acts are being drafted, which will include strict penalties for violations.
Congratulating ICAR scientists on their foundation day, Chouhan called it a day of pride and celebration. He invoked the metaphor of ICAR as a source of victory echoed by nature itself — the crops, livestock, and even the free ration benefiting 80 crore people symbolize the triumph of agricultural science. Recalling the past dependence on deteriorated PL-480 wheat imports from the US, he expressed pride in India’s current status as a major exporter of wheat and having abundant rice stocks.
Citing data, the minister shared the remarkable growth in food grain production since the Green Revolution. Annual increases grew from 2.7 million tonnes (1966-79) to 8.1 million tonnes per year (2014-2025), despite challenges posed by climate change, shrinking agricultural land, and urbanization.
He also presented figures on the growth of fruits and vegetables production, which rose from 1.3 million tonnes annually (1966-80) to about 7.5 million tonnes recently. Milk production has similarly surged, aided by breed improvements, from 0.9 million tonnes per year in the 1960s to over 10 million tonnes now. Production in fisheries and poultry sectors is also increasing. Minister Chouhan attributed these achievements to the hard work of farmers and scientists alike.
Sharing a lighter moment, he narrated an anecdote about a renowned scientist so engrossed in research that he did not recognize his own wife until she introduced herself.
The minister acknowledged that despite achievements, challenges remain. Ensuring food security for India’s growing population is critical. Unlike countries with declining populations like China and Japan, India’s population is an asset that can be transformed into strength. He stressed the need for abundant and nutritious food while maintaining soil health and cautioned against excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can degrade the land.
On crop diversification, Chouhan emphasized that merely distributing seeds is insufficient. Farmers will diversify if import-export policies are favorable. Scientists face the challenge of increasing per-hectare yields of pulses and oilseeds, where India still lags behind countries like France.
He addressed crop diseases such as virus attacks in Bt cotton and red rot in sugarcane, underscoring the need for targeted research in affected areas. Farmers’ demand for machines that can detect fake fertilizers was acknowledged, and the government is taking strict measures to protect farmers.
The minister also highlighted recent regulations requiring biostimulants to be certified by ICAR institutes and mentioned efforts to develop small-scale machinery suitable for small landholdings, improve shelf life of perishables like tomatoes, and scientifically fix maximum retail prices of seeds to protect farmers.
Minister Chouhan reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, noting the government provides nearly ₹2 lakh crore annually in fertilizer subsidies, and has already paid out over ₹1.4 lakh crore in crop insurance claims. Subsidies for polyhouse and greenhouse cultivation and other schemes are also available.
He urged that the ICAR Foundation Day be dedicated to the mission of farmer-centric research. Praising scientists as modern sages, he called on them to view their work as a sacred service not only to India but to the world. He encouraged them to focus on areas vital to farmers’ income growth and India’s development, emphasizing the country’s role as a guide for sustainable peace and progress for humanity.
Also Read: ICAR to Validate Biostimulants Before Sale, Says Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh
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