In April 2026, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) constituted a Special Task Force (STF) to enhance India’s agricultural resilience by addressing global disruptions, ensuring food and input security, and providing data-driven policy inputs to the Government of India (GoI) amid geopolitical and climate challenges.
- The first meeting, chaired by Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and Director General (DG) of ICAR.
About STF on Agriculture:
Background: It was constituted due to geopolitical uncertainties, disruptions in global food and fertiliser supply chains, climate volatility, energy market issues, and rising input costs affecting agriculture.
Initiatives: The ICAR is intensifying the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG) programme (launched in 2015) in 100 Aspirational Districts using Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), promoting balanced fertilizer use in crops like wheat and rice, mapping millet regions, and encouraging diversification through eco-fisheries in Kharif season.
Technology: Focus is on Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) to save 20–30% water and reduce labour costs, along with strengthening the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Agricultural Meteorology for real-time advisories.
Governance: Nodal Officers in each Subject Matter Division (SMD) will ensure weekly monitoring and coordinated implementation of an Actionable Plan, with the STF meeting as required using institutional feedback.
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