Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emphasised the need to promote integrated farming practices to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.

Addressing the 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, Mr Chouhan said the collective efforts of farmers and scientists are producing extraordinary results. He added that ICAR has emerged as a catalyst for transformation in the country.

The Minister stressed that research should benefit farmers in real time and urged scientists to undertake demand-driven research based on farmers’ needs. He said the country has achieved a record foodgrain production of 376 million tonnes. Mr Chouhan also highlighted that 386 new crop varieties covering 44 crops and 117 horticulture varieties have been developed over the past year.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh said ICAR’s Lab to Land technology transfer and scientific innovation will strengthen the resolve for farmers’ prosperity, food security and a developed nation.