ICAR

ICAR, or the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, is India’s premier government body responsible for coordinating agricultural research and education. It operates under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Established in 1929, ICAR oversees a nationwide network aimed at improving agricultural productivity, sustainability, and food security.

The council funds, plans, and directs research across a national system that includes central institutes, state agricultural universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, all coordinated to align with national agricultural priorities. Its work spans crop science, animal husbandry, fisheries, soil health, horticulture, and agriculture-related biotechnology. ICAR develops improved crop varieties and farming practices, validates new technologies, and facilitates their dissemination to farmers through training and extension services. It also sets educational standards and curricula for agricultural education and supports scholarships and fellowships.

Notable ICAR institutes include the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), among many others. The National Agricultural Research System (NARS) under ICAR coordinates research and education across hundreds of centers and affiliated universities, fostering collaboration with state actors and international partners to address challenges such as climate change, pest pressures, and nutrition.

In common usage, ICAR refers specifically to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, though the acronym can denote other organizations in different contexts, warranting disambiguation in those cases.