8 June 2025, Bengaluru
As part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, today. The visit underscored the Government's vision of creating a "Viksit Krishi" (Developed Agriculture) to ensure a "Samruddh Kisan" (Prosperous Farmer) and transform India into the food basket of the world.
Addressing a gathering of over 500 farmers, scientists, and students, the Minister emphasized the importance of sustainable agriculture, technology-driven innovation, and value addition as key pillars to enhance farmers’ income and ensure national food and nutritional security.
Prior to the formal event, Shri Chouhan visited the fields of progressive farmers growing dragon fruit (Kamalam) and tomatoes, showcasing success stories in high-value horticulture. He also toured the institute’s nursery, which annually produces and supplies lakhs of quality planting materials to farmers.
The Minister further visited BESST-Hort, the agri-business incubation centre hosted by ICAR-IIHR. The centre plays a vital role in supporting young entrepreneurs and marginal farmers by providing infrastructure, machinery, and technical support for processing and marketing horticultural produce.
During the main programme, Shri Chouhan inaugurated a vibrant exhibition featuring an array of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants developed by ICAR institutes. He also laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Biosafety Laboratory (Level-II), aimed at enhancing biosecurity and research capabilities.
Several Bengaluru-based ICAR institutes actively participated in the event, showcasing their latest technological innovations and institutional achievements. Directors of these institutes were present and contributed significantly to the success of the programme.
The event was meticulously coordinated by Dr. Tusar Kanti Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, with the support of Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR; Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR; Dr. Venkata Subramaniam, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Bengaluru; along with the dedicated staff and students of ICAR-IIHR.
This initiative reflects the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to farmer-centric research, innovation, and inclusive development in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru)
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