Context:

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare inaugurated the 96^th Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Foundation and Technology Day celebrations in New Delhi. 

More on the news

• ICAR, originally established as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, has been at the forefront of agricultural research since its inception on July 16, 1929. It is headquartered at New Delhi
• ICAR launched its ‘One Scientist-One Product’ programme on July 16 to improve research in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry.
• ICAR is working to develop 100 new seed varieties and an equal number of farm technologies within a 100-day timeframe to bolster India's agricultural sector
• Technologies including Handheld devices for nutrient and water stress detection in field crops, AI-IoT enabled jute fibre grading system, Biothermocol (Mycelium-based packaging material from crop residue) were displayed during the exhibition.

Landmark Achievements

• High-yielding fine-grain aromatic Basmati rice varieties contribute to annual exports exceeding ₹42,000 crores, with over 90% coming from four ICAR varieties: Pusa Basmati 1121, 1509, 1401, and 1718. 
• A total of 323 varieties of 56 crops including cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugarcane were released during 2023-24. 
• Climate resilient technologies for 14 states were developed. Integrated Farming System (IFS) models for small and marginal farmers of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were developed.
• Seven new livestock breeds have been registered in 2023. ICAR has also developed 4 vaccines, 7 diagnostics and 10 feed technologies.

Significance of the technologies showcased in the event

• Deployment of climate-resilient technologies has led to enhanced production even during the abnormal precipitation years.
• Farmers’ access to improved quality seeds of superior varieties has consistently increased the productivity, quality of farm produce and income of the farmers.