New Delhi, 01 April (H.S.):

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has not allowed India’s agriculture to remain confined to tradition alone, but has firmly connected it with science, innovation and practical solutions.

Addressing the 122nd foundation‑day celebrations of ICAR here on Wednesday, Ms Gupta hailed the institution as a bridge between the farm and the laboratory, noting that it has given the country a new direction—from the Green Revolution to today’s technology‑driven agriculture.

From Green Revolution to Technology‑Driven Farming

Rekha Gupta observed that ICAR has helped narrow the gap between the field and the research lab, enabling farmers to move from subsistence cultivation to higher‑yield, climate‑resilient and resource‑efficient farming systems.

She credited the Council’s work in developing high‑yielding and disease‑resistant varieties, improved seeds and modern agronomic practices for transforming India’s food‑grain production landscape.

Highlighting the impact under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Chief Minister said ICAR is now at the forefront of a broader transformation, carrying knowledge directly to the ground and empowering farmers while preparing Indian agriculture for future challenges.

Delhi’s Green Vision and Resource Conservation

Rekha Gupta urged ICAR to collaborate with the Delhi government on measures to reduce dust and pollution in the national capital and to expand green spaces through afforestation and scientific plantation drives. She stressed the need for planned tree‑cover expansion, better species selection and long‑term maintenance strategies that can be supported by ICAR’s research on urban forestry, soil health and water‑use efficiency.

The Chief Minister also called on citizens to conserve resources and use them judiciously. She asked people to keep future generations in mind while using groundwater, electricity and petroleum, emphasising that scientific work was needed to conserve and enhance these resources rather than exhaust them.

Food Security and Global Contribution

Rekha Gupta pointed out that ICAR’s research has played a crucial role in ending food‑grain shortages in India and helping the country achieve self‑sufficiency in staple cereals.She noted that India is now not only self‑reliant in food grains but also in a position to extend assistance to other countries, underscoring how agricultural innovation has strengthened national and global food security.

Dignitaries Present at the Function

The programme was attended by Cabinet colleague Ravindra Indraj and other senior officials and scientists of ICAR, who joined the Chief Minister in reaffirming the Council’s role in advancing Indian agriculture through sustained research, technology transfer and farmer outreach.

The event also served as a platform to showcase ICAR’s ongoing initiatives in crop improvement, horticulture, fisheries, natural‑resource management and climate‑resilient farming, reinforcing its position as the backbone of India’s agricultural research system.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar