Agriculture Minister Highlights the Vital Role of Integrating Farmers, Youth, and Science for Future Growth

The 6th International Agronomy Congress (IAC–2025) was successfully inaugurated today at the NPL Auditorium, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, in the august presence of Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This three-day global event (24–26 November 2025) is being organized by the Indian Society of Agronomy (ISA) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), and the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS).

More than 1,000 scientists, policymakers, students, development partners, and industry experts from India and abroad are participating in the Congress. Scientists from several international organizations- including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)- are also present at the event.Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said that the foundation of Viksit Bharat @2047 lies in smart, sustainable, and profitable agriculture. He remarked, “Agriculture must move toward producing more with fewer resources while conserving more for future generations. Agronomy is the bridge that connects scientific research with the farmer’s field.” The minister emphasized optimizing soil health, water-use efficiency, biodiversity, eco-nutrition, and digital agriculture. He also announced that the recommendations emerging from the Congress will be incorporated into national policies and regional action plans.