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IndiAgri Bureau
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has secured commitments from more than 75 companies to support the deployment of innovative farm technologies through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Research & Development (R&D) collaborations.
The commitments came during the ICAR Technology Portfolio for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave 2026, jointly organised by ICAR and Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) at the NASC Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The conclave served as a platform to connect India's agricultural research ecosystem with corporate CSR programmes, aiming to speed up the adoption of technologies that can improve farm productivity, strengthen climate resilience and enhance rural livelihoods.
A major highlight of the conclave was the presentation of ICAR's portfolio of technologies that are ready for implementation with CSR support. The research institution showcased practical innovations across areas considered crucial for the future of Indian agriculture.
The technologies focused on:
According to ICAR, these innovations are designed to move beyond laboratories and reach farmers through partnerships with industry and development organisations.
The event witnessed participation from nearly 150 delegates representing over 75 industries, signalling growing corporate interest in investing CSR resources in agriculture.
Beyond the physical event, the conclave also recorded around 570 online participants, while the live webcast attracted more than 1,600 viewers, reflecting nationwide interest in the initiative.
Ahead of the national conclave, ICAR and Agrinnovate organised regional CSR and technology roadshows in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata between June 20 and July 7.
The outreach programmes brought together corporate leaders, startups, entrepreneurs, NGOs, researchers and media representatives to explore opportunities for technology transfer and collaborative CSR projects.
More than 500 stakeholders participated in these roadshows, with several organisations expressing interest in supporting ICAR's agricultural innovations through CSR initiatives.
Several prominent organisations indicated their willingness to collaborate with ICAR and Agrinnovate on CSR and research initiatives. These include 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.
The proposed partnerships are expected to facilitate wider dissemination of agricultural technologies, strengthen farmer training programmes, promote sustainable farming practices and create new livelihood opportunities in rural India.
With corporate participation in agricultural development steadily increasing, ICAR views CSR as an important channel for taking research outcomes to the grassroots. The conclave highlighted the growing role of public-private partnerships in translating scientific innovations into practical solutions that can benefit farmers on a large scale.
The event also underscored the need for closer collaboration between research institutions, industry and development organisations to accelerate technology adoption and build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
