ICAR Unveils 'Viksit Krishi' Roadmap for 2047 on its 98th Foundation Day

Key Facts

• ICAR's 98th Foundation Day was observed on 16 July 2026 in New Delhi.
• Established in 1929, ICAR is the apex national agricultural research body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• The 'Viksit Krishi' roadmap aligns with the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' framework, focusing on sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Targets include developing 100 Climate Smart Villages, extending ICAR technologies to 100 million farmers, and launching the One Institute-One Grand Innovation initiative.
• ICAR plans an Open Digital Knowledge Platform to improve access to agricultural research and advisories.
• The organization aims to generate ₹10,000 crore in internal resources by 2029 via technology commercialization.
• During the event, ICAR announced 43 new crop varieties, 17 technologies and products (including vaccines), and 14 publications.
• The 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, which concluded by 20 August 2025, implemented over 60,000 programmes, directly reaching 1.35 crore farmers nationwide.
• A Blueprint emphasizing mechanization, precision agriculture, robotics, and artificial intelligence was published on 30 September 2025.

Background & Context

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) coordinates agricultural research and education across diverse domains like crop science, animal science, fisheries, and natural resource management. ICAR's initiatives are integral to India's goal of achieving agricultural sustainability and food security. The 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision prepares the nation to thrive as it approaches 100 years of independence, emphasizing technology-driven modernization in agriculture to address climate change and enhance farmer welfare.

Why This Matters for Exams

ICAR's activities and milestones frequently appear in examinations focused on Indian agriculture, governance, and science. Understanding the significance of ICAR's foundation year, current flagship programs such as Climate Smart Villages, and technological innovations supports answering questions related to agricultural development, government schemes, and sustainable practices. The 'Viksit Krishi' roadmap articulates key government priorities for 2047, an important target year in Indian policy frameworks.

Points to Remember

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established in 1929 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• ICAR's 98th Foundation Day: 16 July 2026; this occasion marked the release of the 'Viksit Krishi' roadmap for 2047.
• The roadmap sets goals including developing 100 Climate Smart Villages and technology access expansion to 100 million farmers.
• Launch of One Institute-One Grand Innovation initiative to drive research breakthroughs.
• Establishment of an Open Digital Knowledge Platform aimed at improving accessibility of agricultural knowledge.
• Target internal revenue generation of ₹10,000 crore by 2029 through commercializing agricultural technologies.
• The 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign reached 1.35 crore farmers with 60,000+ programmes by August 2025.
• A blueprint released on 30 September 2025 emphasizes mechanization, precision agriculture, robotics, and artificial intelligence for the future of Indian agriculture.