1 month ago
India Urges Boost in Agricultural R&D for Growth
India wants farmers to grow more food and make more money.
To do that, the government says it should spend more money on research, like testing new seeds and better farming tools.
A study says every rupee spent on research can bring back about 14 rupees in return.
A big company, ITC, is already using smart farming methods that help farmers save water and earn more.
The government has given a little less money than needed, so experts are asking for more funding to help the country grow faster.
India’s agriculture sector needs to raise R&D spending from <0.5% to ≥1% of GVA to hit 5% growth.
A 2024 ICAR working paper shows each rupee in agri‑R&D returns Rs 13.85, higher than subsidies.
ICAR’s director general ML Jat estimates agri‑R&D contributed Rs 55,000 crore to the 2025‑26 GVA rise.
ITC’s climate‑smart agriculture program covers 3.2 million acres, boosting yields by ~10% and net returns by 23%.
The 2026 budget allocated ₹9,967 crore to DARE, still 3% below the revised 2025 estimate, prompting calls to double the spend.
- Who
- Indian government, ICAR, ITC, and agricultural economists
- What
- Call to increase agricultural R&D spending to at least 1% of GVA
- Where
- India
- When
- 2024‑2025 budget and 2025‑26 growth period
- Why
- To achieve 5% sector growth and higher returns on investment
Key facts
- R&D spending target
- at least 1% of GVA
- Return on R&D
- Rs 13.85 per rupee
- Current R&D spending
- less than 0.5% of GVA
- Projected agricultural GVA growth
- 5% per annum
- ITC CSA coverage
- 3.2 million acres, 1.2 million farmers
- Budget 2026 DARE allocation
- ₹9,967 crore
- R&D contribution to GVA rise
- Rs 55,000 crore
Quotes
Sanjiv Puri
ITC chairman and managing director
“CSA practices in rice and wheat have reduced cost by over 20%, improved yields by around 10%, and enhanced net returns by over 23% compared to conventional practices, according to Sanjiv Puri, ITC chairman and managing director, in his address to the 115th annual general body meeting.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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