**Executive Summary**
On April 7, 2026, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established a high-level Special Task Force (STF) to address global geopolitical shifts and ensure national food security. The framework prioritizes 100 aspirational districts for enhanced farmer outreach, rationalized fertilizer use, and technological interventions. Key action items include the designation of Nodal Officers to monitor weekly progress and the development of a consolidated Actionable Plan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Farmer Outreach and Extension**
* Broaden the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' (MGMG) campaign to prioritize 100 aspirational districts.
* Utilize existing organizational structures to provide a complete package of practices to farmers to build field-level confidence.
**Resource Efficiency and Soil Health**
* Launch a dedicated campaign promoting the balanced use of fertilizers and bio-inputs.
* Conduct district-wise assessments to rationalize fertilizer consumption for major crops, specifically wheat and rice.
**Land-Use Optimization and Diversification**
* Implement detailed mapping of millet-growing regions to maximize land-use efficiency.
* Promote high-value alternatives, such as eco-fisheries, in low-productivity rice areas to increase income during the Kharif season.
**Technological and Mechanical Interventions**
* Increase emphasis on mechanical solutions, including Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR).
* Strengthen the AICRP on Meteorology to provide real-time advisories to farmers.
**Governance and Execution**
* Designate Nodal Officers within each Subject Matter Division (SMD) to ensure swift execution.
* Establish a weekly monitoring mechanism for progress and coordinate a consolidated Actionable Plan.
* Convene the Special Task Force as situational exigencies demand to provide data-driven inputs to the Government.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
**Impact:**
Farmers will benefit from enhanced extension services, real-time weather advisories, and strategies designed to increase income through crop diversification and mechanical efficiency.
**Action Required:**
Farmers are expected to adopt balanced fertilizer practices, utilize real-time advisories for crop management, and transition to high-value alternatives or mechanical solutions like DSR where applicable.
**ICAR Subject Matter Divisions (SMD)**
**Impact:**
Divisions are now subject to more rigorous oversight and are responsible for the direct execution of the STF framework.
**Action Required:**
Each SMD must designate Nodal Officers to monitor progress on a weekly basis and contribute to the consolidated Actionable Plan.
**Government of India**
**Impact:**
The Government will receive data-driven strategic inputs and institutional feedback to mitigate the impact of global challenges on the agricultural sector.
**Action Required:**
The Government must leverage the STF’s data-driven inputs to formulate and refine national strategies for agricultural resilience and food security.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The primary national body responsible for coordinating agricultural research and education, which established the Special Task Force to address global challenges.
Special Task Force (STF): A high-level body constituted by ICAR to formulate strategies for agricultural resilience and ensure national food and input security.
Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (MGMG): A flagship farmer outreach campaign being broadened to provide agricultural practice packages and build field-level confidence.
AICRP on Meteorology: The All India Coordinated Research Project on Meteorology, utilized to provide real-time farmer advisories as part of technological interventions.
100 Aspirational Districts: The specific locations prioritized for the intensified outreach and implementation of the Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav initiative.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
ICAR Constitutes Special Task Force to
Strategize Agricultural Resilience Amid Global
Geopolitical Shifts
First Meeting Chaired by DARE Secretary & ICAR DG Outlines
Comprehensive Framework for National Food and Input
Security
Posted On: 07 APR 2026 3:44PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a high-level Special Task Force
(STF) to proactively address emerging global challenges and formulate mitigating strategies for the
agricultural sector. During the first meeting chaired by the Secretary DARE & Director General, ICAR,
following comprehensive framework was outlined to ensure national food and input security:
Intensification of 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' (MGMG): Action has been initiated to broaden the scope
of the MGMG campaign to enhance farmer outreach. The initiative will prioritize 100 aspirational
Districts, utilizing existing organizational structures to provide a complete package of practices and build
field-level confidence.
Optimizing Soil Health and Fertilizer Use: A dedicated campaign is being launched to promote the
balanced use of fertilizers and bio-inputs. This includes a district-wise assessment to rationalize fertilizer
consumption in major crops like wheat and rice, ensuring maximum resource efficiency.
Diversification and Domain Mapping: Detailed mapping of millet-growing regions is being undertaken
to optimize land-use efficiency. This strategy includes promoting high-value alternatives in low-
productivity rice areas, such as the integration of eco-fisheries, to enhance farmer income during the
Kharif season.
Technological and Mechanical Interventions: Emphasis is being placed on mechanical solutions,
including Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), supported by a strengthened AICRP on Meteorology for real-
time farmer advisories.
Governance and Monitoring: To ensure swift execution, Nodal Officers have been designated within
each Subject Matter Division (SMD) to monitor weekly progress and coordinate a consolidated Actionable
Plan across key areas.
The Special Task Force will convene as situational exigencies demand, leveraging institutional feedback
mechanisms and internal expertise to provide data-driven inputs to the Government.
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