ICAR and Savannah Seeds Propose Collaboration to Advance Agricultural Research and Technology Dissemination

12 October 2026, New Delhi

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Savannah Seeds Private Limited, Gurugram, Haryana, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in agricultural research, education, extension, technology validation, capacity building and sustainable agriculture through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in order to strengthen public–private collaboration for developing, validating and disseminating agricultural technologies for the benefit of farmers. 

The MoU was signed today, at NASC, PUSA, New Delhi, by Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR and Mr Ajai Rana, Managing Director, Savannah Seeds Private Limited on behalf of ICAR and Savannah Seeds Private Limited in the august presence of Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, Dr Rajarshi Roy Burman, Assistant Director General (Agril. Ext.), Dr Ranjay K. Singh, ADG (Agril. Ext.), Principal Scientists of Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR as well as other representatives of Savannah Seeds Private Limited.

The MoU aims to promote joint research and technology validation, facilitate demonstrations of proven agricultural technologies, strengthen the capacities of scientists, extension personnel, agri-entrepreneurs and farmers, and encourage innovation in seed systems, crop production, digital agriculture and sustainable farming. It identifies several potential areas of cooperation, including adaptive research and on-farm demonstrations; farmers’ training programmes, field days, awareness activities and exposure visits through ICAR institutes, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs); and joint initiatives on improved agronomic practices, seed technologies, crop protection, integrated nutrient and water management, and climate-resilient agriculture.

The MoU also envisages exploring emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, digital agriculture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and drone applications. The partners may collaborate in preparing technical literature, extension publications, digital advisory services and farmer-awareness materials, along with capacity-building programmes for rural youth and progressive farmers.

As per the MoU, ICAR would endeavour to facilitate the participation of suitable institutes and extension institutions, provide scientific and technical guidance, nominate experts and resource persons, and support technology assessment and dissemination. Savannah Seeds would endeavour to provide technical, operational and logistical support for approved activities, facilitate demonstrations and farmer meetings, deploy qualified technical personnel, and provide financial or in-kind support for specific activities wherever mutually agreed.

Implementation of this MoU would be coordinated through designated nodal officers of both organisations. Specific activities could be taken up through mutually agreed work plans or project agreements setting out objectives, responsibilities, timelines and financial arrangements. It also envisages periodic review meetings to assess progress and identify future areas of collaboration.

The MoU provides that it would remain valid for five years from execution, subject to its terms. It also states that the MoU itself would not create a financial liability for either party; expenditure for specific collaborative programmes would be decided mutually and recorded in the relevant work plan or project agreement. Provisions concerning confidentiality, intellectual property rights and publications are also included.

The proposed partnership, as reflected through MoU is intended to combine ICAR’s national agricultural research and extension network with Savannah Seeds’ work in seed research, production, processing, marketing and agricultural technologies, with the shared objective of supporting technology transfer, agricultural productivity and farmers’ welfare.

(Source: Agricultural Extension Division, ICAR)