The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in association with Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn), successfully organized the ICAR Technology Portfolio for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave 2026 at the NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conclave served as a premier platform to strengthen partnerships among ICAR, corporate organizations, industry leaders, philanthropic institutions, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural development through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The conclave showcased ICAR’s portfolio of CSR-ready technologies, innovative research, and scalable interventions aimed at accelerating technology commercialization and improving farmers’ livelihoods. The thematic focus areas included Climate-Proofing of Indian Agriculture; Soil Health Improvement through Nature-Based Solutions and Crop Diversification; Agriculture for Health; Agricultural Skilling; Women in Agriculture; and Agricultural Extension. These priority areas are designed to address critical agricultural challenges while promoting sustainable rural development through strategic CSR investments.

The event witnessed an overwhelming response from the corporate sector, with representatives from 75 industries participating in the conclave. In addition, 570 participants joined the programme online, while the live webcast on YouTube attracted more than 1,600 viewers, significantly expanding the event’s national outreach and engagement.

As a precursor to the conclave, four regional ICAR CSR & Technology Portfolio Roadshows were organized at Hyderabad (20 June 2026), Bengaluru (23 June 2026), Mumbai (1 July 2026), and Kolkata (7 July 2026) to mobilize CSR partners for strategic collaborations in sustainable agricultural development. The roadshows brought together representatives from ICAR institutes, corporate organizations, startups, entrepreneurs, NGOs, industry leaders, and the media. Collectively, the four roadshows witnessed participation from more than 500 stakeholders, with several organizations expressing keen interest in partnering with ICAR through CSR-supported initiatives.

Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, called upon the corporate sector to strengthen its partnership with Indian agriculture by investing CSR resources in agricultural research, innovation, skill development, technology commercialization, and rural transformation. He emphasized that CSR should be guided by the Indian philosophy of "Trusteeship", where wealth is viewed as a resource held in trust for the welfare of society.

Shri Chouhan stressed that scientific innovations must not remain confined to research laboratories but should reach farmers’ fields through effective commercialization and public-private partnerships. Highlighting the vision of "Science to Farmers", he said that corporate participation is crucial in bridging the gap between agricultural research and field-level adoption, enabling technologies to benefit farmers more rapidly.

The Minister underlined the importance of CSR investments in climate-resilient agriculture, soil health management, nutrition-sensitive farming, sustainable food systems, agricultural skill development, agri-tech startups, drone-based agriculture, and women-led rural enterprises. He noted that CSR can significantly contribute to strengthening initiatives such as Soil Health Cards, capacity building for drone pilots, food processing, agribusiness leadership, and technology-driven farming solutions.

Highlighting the need for rapid commercialization of agricultural innovations, Shri Chouhan observed that while government institutions generate valuable technologies, active participation from the private sector is essential to ensure their timely dissemination and adoption by farmers. He also reiterated India’s traditional concept of "Food as Medicine", emphasizing that agricultural production should focus not only on increasing productivity but also on improving nutrition and public health.

Encouraging greater corporate engagement, the Minister urged industries to view the statutory 2% CSR obligation not merely as a legal requirement but as a moral commitment towards nation-building. He called upon corporate leaders to actively support agricultural research, rural entrepreneurship, women farmers, self-help groups, youth-led agri-enterprises, and sustainable agricultural development.

The inaugural session was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, along with senior government officials, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and farmer representatives, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing Indian agriculture through collaborative CSR initiatives.

The conclave concluded on a highly encouraging note, with leading industries and CSR organizations, namely Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AICL), SBI Foundation, UCO Bank, ICICI Foundation, Biovet Pvt. Ltd., Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), INFAH, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., Pidilite Industries Ltd., and Yes Bank, expressing their commitment to collaborate with ICAR and Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Research & Development (R&D) initiatives. These strategic partnerships are expected to accelerate the adoption and scaling of innovative agricultural technologies, foster sustainable agricultural development, and significantly enhance the livelihoods of farming communities across the country.

The conclave reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to leveraging science, innovation, and strategic partnerships for inclusive agricultural growth. By bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, development organizations, and CSR stakeholders, the event marked a significant milestone in mobilizing CSR resources to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of agricultural technologies for the benefit of Indian agriculture.