ICAR & Its Role in Food & Nutritional Security | 17 Jul 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 97th Foundation Day on 16th July 2025, marking a significant milestone and highlighting its transformative role in strengthening Indian agriculture and ensuring food and nutritional security. 

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 

  • About: It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing agricultural research and education in areas such as agriculture, horticulture, animal sciences, and fisheries in India. 
    • Established on 16th July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and headquartered in New Delhi. 
  • Functioning: It functions as an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 
    • ICAR is among the largest national agricultural systems globally, with 113 research institutes and 74 agricultural universities across India. 

What are Highlights of ICAR's Role in Ensuring Food and Nutritional Security? 

  • Agricultural Growth & Food Security: ICAR played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution and food security by boosting production of foodgrains (6.21x), horticulture (11.53x), fish (21.61x), milk (13.01x), and eggs (70.74x) from 1950–51 to 2021–22. 
    • In 2024–25, India achieved its highest-ever foodgrain output at 353.95 million tonnes, becoming the largest producer of rice and milk, and second in wheat, horticulture, and fish. 
  • Research Excellence & Innovation: ICAR released 679 field crop varieties (including 27 bio-fortified), world’s first two genome-edited rice varieties, and contributed 90% to Rs 50,000 crore basmati exports. 
    • It also led to 115.3 MT wheat production (85% under ICAR varieties) and significantly boosted pulse and oilseed output. 
  • Advancement in Horticulture, Fisheries, Livestock & Engineering: Developed 83 horticulture varieties, 2,950+ tonnes of breeder seeds, and 22 lakh planting materials.  
    • It introduced super-intensive shrimp farming, breeding protocols for 7 fish species, registered 10 livestock breeds, released 2 chicken varieties, and deployed 45 new agri-machines, enhancing on-farm efficiency and sustainability. 
    • Climate-Smart & Resource Management Initiatives: Established National Soil Spectral Library, developed 35 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), organic farming models for 10 cropping systems, promoted agroforestry in Odisha, and innovated a microbial consortium reducing methane emissions in rice cultivation by 18%. 
  • Capacity Building, Education, and Extension: Implemented the 6th Deans Committee Report on agricultural education, launched PM-One Nation One Subscription (PM-ONOS) scheme. 
    • It awarded ASEAN Fellowships, and trained staff under Karmayogi Jan Seva. ICAR conducted 18.57 lakh farmer trainings, issued 4.19 crore mobile advisories, helped reduce stubble burning by 80%. 
  • Global Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives: Strengthened ties with ASEAN, SAARC, G20, QUAD, BRICS, etc., signed 9 MoUs, participated in platforms like Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) & International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). 
    • It also launched transformative programmes like the Global Centre on Millets (Shree Anna), Clean Plant Programme, National Gene Bank, MAHARISHI initiative, and genome editing in 40 crops, positioning India for next-gen agri-resilience. 

What are the Key Initiatives for Promotion of Agriculture in India? 

Drishti Mains Question:

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, yet farmers face persistent structural challenges. Discuss the key issues and examine how ICAR-led reforms can contribute to sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims

Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:

  1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.  
  2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 
  3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?  

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only  

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (d)  

Q. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)

  1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops 
  2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 
  3. Social Capital development 
  4. Free electricity supply to farmers 
  5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system 
  6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments 

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only   

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only  

(c) 2, 3 and 6 only   

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6  

Ans: (c)