Agri Minister seeks tougher laws on fake seeds, pesticides; aims to reach 100 million farmers with ICAR technologies

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marked its 98th Foundation Day on Thursday in New Delhi. Addressing the event, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a roadmap for ‘Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan’ as a core pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Chouhan announced several key targets: setting up 100 Climate Smart Villages, extending ICAR technologies to 100 million farmers, launching ‘One Institute-One Grand Innovation’, creating an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform, tightening laws against fake seeds and pesticides, and making ICAR financially self-reliant through innovation and tech commercialization.

Describing the partnership between farmers and scientists, Chouhan remarked, "If farmers are the soul of agriculture, scientists are its brain. Miracles happen in our fields only when government policy, farmers' hard work and scientific talent work together."


Chouhan warned against complacency and said the next phase of agri-growth must follow “Quality over Quantity” to improve public health and boost global competitiveness. Citing El Niño and climate change risks, he called for faster action on climate-resilient farming, district-specific plans, and agri risk management.He also set a target for ICAR and its institutes to develop at least 100 Climate Smart Villages before ICAR’s 100th year.

Chouhan set a 2-year target under "One Institute-One Grand Innovation" for every ICAR institute to deliver one breakthrough - a new crop variety, vaccine, digital tool or climate-smart solution with national impact. He also said ICAR should reach 100 million farmers with its technologies by its centenary, calling it a key step toward Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan in Viksit Bharat 2047.

Tough legal action against counterfeit seeds and pesticides
The Union Agriculture Minister called for tougher legal action against counterfeit seeds and pesticides, citing widespread complaints from farmers about fake and substandard agricultural inputs. He urged scientists to develop simple, field-level diagnostic tools that would allow farmers to quickly verify the quality of seeds and pesticides, helping curb fraud and minimise crop losses.

Chouhan also asked ICAR to reduce its dependence on government funding by commercialising its technologies, crop varieties, vaccines and licensing initiatives. He set a target of generating Rs 10,000 crore in internal revenue by 2029, while assuring continued government support as the institution moves towards greater financial self-reliance through innovation.

At the Foundation Day celebrations, ICAR released 43 new crop varieties, 17 technologies and products, and 14 publications, including high-yielding and disease-resistant crop varieties, nutrient-rich crops, livestock and fisheries vaccines, and digital agriculture solutions.

Minister of State of Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, and Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Panchayati Raj S.P. Singh Baghel also addressed the event.

Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, shared key 2025-26 achievements and the roadmap for research, innovation, education and extension. He said higher output in crops, horticulture, livestock and fisheries added nearly Rs 1.70 lakh crore to the economy this year, with agri-research alone contributing about Rs 55,000 crore, showing strong returns on investment in agri-science.