ICAR at 98: 386 Crop Varieties, 94% Climate-Resilient

ICAR at 98: 386 new varieties in a year, 94% climate-resilient

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Battle Brief

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research marked its 98th Foundation Day on 16 July 2026. The Agriculture Minister said ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops in the past year: 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified. 43 varieties, 17 technologies and 14 publications were released, and 72 MoUs were signed with 51 industry partners.

Fact File

Released: 16 Jul 2026, Agriculture Ministry
Occasion: ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day, celebrated every 16 July
Varieties in a year: 386 across 44 crops; 94% climate-resilient; 29 biofortified
Value added: nearly ₹1.70 lakh crore extra output value; research share about ₹55,000 crore
Reach: nearly one crore farmers directly; over five crore through media
Industry links: 72 MoUs with 51 partners; 18 international MoUs

In the news

ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day: what happened?

ICAR is the apex body for farm research and education in India. Each Foundation Day it reports a year’s work. The theme this year was “Reflecting on 365 Days, Reimagining Agriculture for Viksit Bharat 2047”.

Released on the day: 43 crop varieties, 17 technologies and 14 publications.
New technologies included Basmati and saline- and alkaline-tolerant rice, export-oriented mango technology, India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine, a Digital Swine Disease Atlas and a cassava harvester for smallholders.
An MoU between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and ICAR was highlighted.
150 temporary daily-wage workers were regularised.

Back Story

Why do climate-resilient and biofortified varieties matter?

Climate-resilient varieties tolerate stresses such as heat, drought, salinity or alkalinity.
Biofortified varieties carry more nutrients in the grain, which helps fight hidden hunger.
The Minister called for self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds and wider use of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) network.

Why examiners care

Why does ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day matter?

Food security: Better seeds protect yields against climate stress.
Returns on research: About ₹55,000 crore of the extra output value is credited to research.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on ICAR’s 98th Foundation Day?

ICAR Foundation Day: 16 July; 98th in 2026.
386 varieties, 44 crops; 94% climate-resilient; 29 biofortified (2025-26).
KVKs carry ICAR technology to farmers.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Agriculture: cropping, MSP, PDS, food processing, land reforms

As per PIB (2026-07-16): on its 98th Foundation Day (16 Jul), ICAR said it developed 386 varieties across 44 crops in a year, 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified.
Climate-resilient seeds protect food security.

Quotable data point
On its 98th Foundation Day (16 Jul), ICAR said it developed 386 varieties across 44 crops in a year, 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified.
PIB: Agriculture: ICAR Foundation Day, 16 Jul 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

According to ICAR, of the 386 varieties it developed in 2025-26, what share was climate-resilient?

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB (Agriculture), 16 Jul 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

How many crop varieties did ICAR develop in the past year?

386 improved varieties across 44 crops, of which 94% are climate-resilient and 29 are biofortified.

When is ICAR Foundation Day?

Every 16 July; 2026 marked the 98th.

What was released on ICAR's 98th Foundation Day?

43 crop varieties, 17 technologies and 14 publications, including saline- and alkaline-tolerant rice and an African Swine Fever vaccine.