ICAR’s 97th AGM Charts the Roadmap for Transformative Agriculture

The 97th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Society, held at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC) in New Delhi, marks a pivotal moment in India's agricultural trajectory. Chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the meeting underscored a fundamental shift from production-centric to income-centric and resilience-centric agriculture. This transition is not merely policy rhetoric but a strategic necessity for a nation where agriculture employs nearly 42% of the workforce (PLFS 2023-24) yet contributes only about 18% to GDP, reflecting deep structural imbalances. The historical context traces back to the Green Revolution of the 1960s, which transformed India from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation through high-yielding varieties, irrigation expansion, and chemical inputs. However, this model now faces diminishing returns — soil degradation, groundwater depletion, climate vulnerability, and stagnating farmer incomes. The Economic Survey 2023-24 explicitly acknowledges these challenges, advocating for a "second green revolution" focused on sustainability, diversification, and value addition. The ICAR's achievements presented at the AGM reflect this new paradigm. The release of 386 new crop varieties — with 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified — directly addresses the dual challenge of climate adaptation and nutritional security. Climate-resilient varieties are critical given India's ranking as the 7th most climate-vulnerable country (Global Climate Risk Index 2021), while biofortification tackles the "hidden hunger" affecting over 50% of women and children (NFHS-5). The indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine represents a breakthrough in livestock health, protecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder pig farmers, particularly in the Northeast where pork is a dietary staple. The filing of 805 IP applications and technology commercialisation across 36 institutions signals a maturing innovation ecosystem, moving beyond public-sector monopoly to collaborative R&D. Constitutionally, agriculture falls under the State List (Entry 14, List II, Seventh Schedule), but the Union plays a coordinating role through ICAR (Entry 65, Union List) and DARE. The meeting's emphasis on Centre-State collaboration — evidenced by the participation of 18 State Ministers — reflects cooperative federalism in action. This aligns with Article 263 (Inter-State Council) and the spirit of the GST Council model, now being replicated in agricultural marketing reforms. The push for self-reliance in pulses, oilseeds, and seeds ("Atmanirbharta") connects to national security concerns — India imports 60% of its edible oil and 15% of pulses, creating vulnerability to global price shocks. The National Gender Platform connecting 9,000+ establishments is a landmark initiative addressing the feminisation of agriculture — women constitute 75% of the agricultural workforce (Census 2011) but own only 13% of landholdings. This platform operationalises the constitutional mandate under Article 15(3) for special provisions for women and Article 39(a) for equal right to adequate livelihood. The emphasis on FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) and market linkages responds to the failure of APMC monopolies and the need for efficient value chains, as envisioned in the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce Act, 2020 (though currently in abeyance). Looking ahead, the roadmap outlined at this AGM — demand-driven research, ICAR-industry partnerships, export-oriented quality standards, and integration of agriculture with allied sectors — could redefine India's agricultural future. If implemented effectively, it positions India not just as a food-secure nation but as a global agri-export hub, leveraging its biodiversity, demographic dividend, and digital public infrastructure (like AgriStack). The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 demands nothing less than a transformative, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural revolution.