The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) jointly organized the “ICAR Technology Portfolio for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conclave 2026” successfully at the NASC Complex, New Delhi. The conclave served as a premier platform to strengthen partnerships among ICAR, corporate organizations, industry leaders, philanthropic institutions, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural development through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The conclave showcased ICAR’s portfolio of CSR-ready technologies, innovative research, and scalable interventions. The thematic focus areas of this year’s conclave included Climate-Proofing of Indian Agriculture; Soil Health Improvement through Nature-Based Solutions and Crop Diversification; Agriculture for Health; Agricultural Skilling; And Women in Agriculture and Agricultural Extension. These priority areas are aimed at addressing critical agricultural challenges while promoting sustainable rural development through strategic CSR investments.
The event witnessed an overwhelming response from the corporate sector. Around 150 representatives from 75 industries participated in the conclave, reflecting the growing interest of industry in supporting agricultural transformation through CSR partnerships. In addition, 570 participants joined the programme online, while the live webcast on YouTube attracted more than 1,600 viewers, significantly expanding the outreach and engagement of the event across the country.
As a precursor to the conclave, four regional ICAR CSR & Technology Portfolio Roadshows were organized at Hyderabad (20 June 2026), Bengaluru (23 June 2026), Mumbai (1 July 2026), and Kolkata (7 July 2026). The roadshows were conducted to explore and mobilize CSR partners for strategic collaborations in sustainable agricultural development. These events brought together representatives from ICAR institutes, corporate organizations, industry leaders, startups, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the media to promote technology commercialization and strengthen CSR-driven partnerships. Collectively, the four roadshows witnessed participation from more than 500 stakeholders, with several organizations expressing strong interest in partnering with ICAR through CSR-supported initiatives.
The conclave concluded on a highly encouraging note, with leading industries and CSR organizations, namely 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, expressing their commitment to collaborate with ICAR and Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Research & Development (R&D) initiatives. These strategic partnerships are expected to accelerate the adoption and scaling of innovative agricultural technologies, foster sustainable agricultural development, and significantly enhance the livelihoods of farming communities across the country.
The conclave reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to leveraging science, innovation, and strategic partnerships for inclusive agricultural growth. By bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, development organizations, and CSR stakeholders, the event marked a significant milestone in mobilizing CSR resources to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of agricultural technologies for the benefit of Indian agriculture.
