Discuss the role of ICAR in advancing climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties. How does this contribute to India's food and nutritional security?

Q. Discuss the role of ICAR in advancing climate-resilient and biofortified crop varieties. How does this contribute to India's food and nutritional security? (15 marks, 250-350 words)

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, has since 1929 anchored India's crop-improvement effort [2]. Its recent varietal output shows a decisive shift from yield-maximisation alone towards climate adaptation and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

ICAR's role in climate-resilient varieties - Scale of varietal development: 386 improved varieties across 44 crops were developed in the past year, of which 94% are climate-resilient [1]. - Targeted stress tolerance: new rice varieties for saline and alkaline soils address land degradation and coastal salinity [1]. - Institutional depth: a network of 113 institutes and 74 agricultural universities enables agro-ecology-specific breeding [2]. - Beyond crops: an indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine and a Digital Swine Disease Atlas extend resilience to livestock [1].

ICAR's role in biofortification - 29 biofortified varieties enriched in iron, zinc, protein and vitamin A were developed in the year [1]. - Biofortification is agronomic rather than supplement-based — nutrients reach households through the existing cropping and PDS chain, needing no behavioural change.

Contribution to food and nutritional security - Production stability: stress-tolerant seeds protect output against erratic monsoons, cutting the yield volatility that drives food-price shocks. - Hidden hunger: biofortified staples tackle micronutrient deficiency, complementing POSHAN-type nutrition interventions. - Farm incomes: ICAR research generated an estimated ₹1.70 lakh crore in additional economic value, with about ₹55,000 crore in research returns [1]. - Diffusion: technologies reached nearly 1 crore farmers directly, and 72 MoUs with 51 industry partners are speeding seed multiplication [1].

Thus ICAR converts laboratory science into field-level resilience, making it central to both availability and nutritional adequacy of food. The task ahead is to strengthen last-mile extension through KVKs, expand seed-replacement rates, and mainstream biofortified staples into public procurement — aligning agricultural research with SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of a climate-secure, well-nourished India.

(~320 words)

Sources: 1. Over the Past Year, ICAR Developed 386 Improved Varieties Across 44 Crops, Including 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified Varieties, PIB (16 July 2026) — 386 varieties/44 crops, 94% climate-resilient, 29 biofortified, saline-alkaline rice, ASF vaccine and Digital Swine Disease Atlas, ₹1.70 lakh crore value and ₹55,000 crore returns, farmer outreach, 72 MoUs with 51 industry partners 2. About Us, Indian Council of Agricultural Research — ICAR as autonomous body under DARE, established 16 July 1929, network of 113 institutes and 74 agricultural universities