Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a high-level review meeting on April 29, 2025, with senior officials from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the Pusa Campus in New Delhi. The meeting aimed to assess the ongoing activities and future strategies of ICAR in enhancing agricultural research and innovation across the country.
Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, along with all Deputy Director Generals, participated in the meeting, which focused on aligning scientific research with the practical needs of Indian farmers.
During the meeting, the Union Minister was briefed on ICAR's current initiatives, including the implementation status of various farmer-centric schemes, future action plans, and cutting-edge technological developments in the agriculture sector.
Department-wise presentations were reviewed, and the Minister issued key directives to ensure that ongoing efforts translate into meaningful outcomes for the farming community.
Discussions centered around simplifying soil testing procedures to make them more accessible for farmers, promoting micro-irrigation systems to conserve water, and advancing natural farming methods as a sustainable alternative.
The meeting also addressed broader challenges such as climate change and the urgent need to provide high-quality seeds to farmers in a timely manner. Emphasis was placed on integrated farming systems as a holistic solution to improve agricultural productivity and boost farmers' income.
By integrating new research with field-level execution, the Union Minister highlighted the importance of translating scientific advancements into real-world benefits for farmers.
