ICAR Foundation Day: 386 improved varieties developed across 44 crops; focus on climate-resilient and biofortified research
ICAR marked its 98th Foundation Day with claims of 386 improved varieties across 44 crops, a stronger climate-resilient and biofortified research push, and wider technology transfer through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra network.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is India’s apex public agricultural research body and remains central to crop improvement and agricultural technology transfer.
- ICAR Foundation Day is observed every year on 16 July, and the institution was established in 1928.
- ICAR said it developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops and highlighted climate-resilient and biofortified research.
- ICAR said scientific technologies reached nearly one crore farmers directly and over five crore farmers through media and social media.
What happened
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marked its 98th Foundation Day in New Delhi on 16 July 2026. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said ICAR remains central to science-led, climate-resilient, and farmer-centric agricultural development for Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops during the past year. The ministry also said 94% of these were climate-resilient varieties and 29 were biofortified varieties.
UPSC can use ICAR’s annual achievements to frame questions on agricultural research institutions, climate-resilient varieties, biofortification, technology transfer, and the gap between research outputs and last-mile adoption by farmers.
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