Smart, Sustainable Farming Key to Viksit Bharat: Shivraj Chouhan

• 6th International Agronomy Congress inaugurated in New Delhi with over 1,000 delegates.
• Chouhan stresses smart, sustainable, profitable farming as the bedrock of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• IAC–2025 Declaration released with key recommendations for climate-smart and digital agriculture.
• Global agriculture bodies including FAO, CIMMYT, IRRI and ICRISAT participate.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th Nov: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday inaugurated the 6th International Agronomy Congress (IAC–2025) at the NPL Auditorium, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The three-day global event, being held from 24 to 26 November, is organised by the Indian Society of Agronomy (ISA) in partnership with ICAR, IARI, NAAS and TAAS.

The Congress has drawn more than 1,000 delegates, including scientists, policymakers, development partners, industry leaders and students. Representatives from major international organisations such as FAO, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IRRI, ICARDA and IFDC are also participating.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said smart, sustainable and profitable agriculture will form the foundation of Viksit Bharat @2047. He stressed that Indian agriculture must evolve to “produce more with fewer resources while conserving more for future generations.” Agronomy, he said, serves as the bridge connecting scientific research with practical solutions for farmers. The Minister highlighted critical focus areas including soil health, water-use efficiency, biodiversity, eco-nutrition and digital agriculture. He also assured that recommendations from the Congress will feed directly into national policies and regional action plans.

During the inaugural session, Chouhan released the IAC–2025 Declaration, outlining major recommendations. These include promoting soil-carbon sequestration, advancing water-efficient farming, scaling AI-driven digital agriculture, strengthening natural and regenerative agriculture models, and launching youth and women-focused innovation programmes. The document also emphasises next-generation agronomy education, strategies aligned with Net-Zero 2070, and expanding global outreach of India’s climate-smart agricultural models.

Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary said agronomy must directly address farmers’ real challenges, adding that the goal is to enhance income, environmental security and nutritional value. He called for innovations tailored to diverse geographies—from Rajasthan’s dry lands to Uttarakhand’s hills—and stressed rainfed agriculture, resource management, women’s participation, youth-driven ideas and rural micro-enterprises.

The Congress will feature ten thematic symposia covering climate-resilient farming, nature-based solutions, precision input management, genetic potential, energy-efficient machinery, digital solutions, post-harvest systems, eco-nutrition, gender empowerment, livelihood diversification, Agriculture 5.0 and Viksit Bharat 2047.

DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat said India is now a global leader in climate-smart agronomy and noted that outcomes from IAC–2025 will contribute to ICAR Vision–2050. The Congress is also expected to strengthen partnerships with G20 nations, FAO, CGIAR and South–South Cooperation.