The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with its 114 institutes, Regional Centres, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), participated in the month-long Swachhata Special Campaign 6 from October 2 to 31, 2026. The campaign was launched on October 2, 2026, with cleanliness drives across ICAR establishments nationwide, including at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC) in Pusa, New Delhi.
Key outcomes included the organization of nearly 4,000 cleanliness campaigns, clearance of approximately 1.3 lakh square feet of space, and generation of around ₹10 lakh in revenue through the disposal of electronic and non-electronic scrap. The campaign also focused on clearing pending matters and promoting sustainable waste management practices including vermicomposting of water hyacinth and review/weeding out of old files for appropriate disposal.
Specific institutional activities included ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute where Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated Safai Mitras with shawls, bouquets and gifts. At ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) Dr. Mangi Lal Jat emphasized making Swachhata a year-round activity and highlighted the importance of team building and positive workplace environments.
The campaign promoted Reduce, Reuse and Recycle principles through Waste to Art initiatives, plastic-free campaigns, and creative utilization of waste materials. At ICAR-CCARI Goa, scrap identification drives catalogued 70 kg metal items, 200 kg MCB panels, 100 kg fencing wire and 20 kg plastic items for disposal. ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute implemented environment-friendly biological waste management covering 213 animals (22 cattle, 14 buffaloes, 105 goats and 72 pigs) with wastewater reuse for irrigation and vermicomposting of animal dung.
Dissemination efforts included press releases from ICAR Headquarters and social media outreach through Facebook, X and Instagram platforms to extend the Swachhata message to wider audiences.