Over the Past Year, ICAR Developed 386 Improved Varieties Across 44 Crops, Including 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified Varieties: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marked its 98th Foundation Day on 16 July 2026, reporting that it developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops in the preceding year, of which 94% are climate‑resilient and 29 are bio‑fortified. The Council highlighted that its scientific innovations have bolstered foodgrain, horticulture, milk and fisheries production, contributing to national food and nutritional security. Technologies reached about one crore farmers directly and over five crore through media, while 72 MoUs with 51 industry partners were signed to speed up commercialization. ICAR’s activities generated an additional economic value of nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore, with research investment estimated at ₹55,000 crore.