18 Sept 2025
Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that India is witnessing a new revolution in agriculture under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, supported by the dedicated efforts of the country’s scientific community.
Speaking at the 97th Foundation Day celebration of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), held at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, the Minister highlighted India’s record-breaking achievements in foodgrain and horticulture production.
“Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the country’s food reserves are abundant. We are now exporting wheat, and rice production has touched such high levels that additional storage facilities are being arranged. This marks a record growth in agricultural output,” Shri Chouhan said.
The event was attended by Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, MoA&FW; Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR); Directors of ICAR institutes, senior officials, scientists, and a large number of farmers.
Shri Chouhan traced India’s agricultural journey since the Green Revolution (1966–1979), noting that foodgrain production rose by 2.7 million tonnes annually during that period. Between 1980 and 1990, the growth accelerated to 6.1 million tonnes per year. From 2000 to 2013–14, the annual increase averaged 3.9 million tonnes, while between 2013–14 and 2025, it has reached a record 8.1 million tonnes annually. “In the past 11 years, foodgrain production has multiplied 2.5 to 3 times, marking a historic leap in agricultural productivity,” he said.
Similarly, the horticulture sector has seen remarkable progress. From 1966 to 1980, fruit and vegetable production increased by 1.3 million tonnes annually, rising to 2 million tonnes per year between 1980 and 1990, and 6 million tonnes annually between 1990 and 2000. In the last 11 years alone, horticultural production has grown by 7.5 million tonnes per year, Shri Chouhan noted.
Despite challenges such as climate change, fragmented landholdings, pest and viral infestations, and livestock management issues, India has sustained agricultural growth, thanks to its scientific community. “Our scientists are the modern-day sages of Indian agriculture, and their contribution deserves the highest recognition,” the Minister remarked, while urging them to promote natural farming as a sustainable approach to protect the planet for future generations.