Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the ICAR Corporate Social Responsibility Conclave 2026 held at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi. The Minister urged the corporate sector to embrace the Indian ethos of trusteeship and dedicate a portion of corporate earnings toward welfare of farmers, agricultural research, and rural communities through CSR initiatives. He emphasized that research should not remain confined to laboratories but must serve as a bridge from "Science to Farmers," ensuring CSR investments create tangible impact in specific areas.
Chouhan outlined five thematic priority areas for CSR investment: climate-resilient agriculture, soil health protection, nutrition-secure food systems, agricultural skill development, and women farmers' entrepreneurship. He expressed concern over declining organic carbon levels in soil and indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides without proper testing, noting that initiatives like the Soil Health Card programme could be strengthened through CSR support.
The Minister highlighted specific technological examples where CSR could make a difference, citing the jute sector where traditional fiber extraction requires soaking jute in water for 25 days, while new machines can extract superior-quality fiber in significantly less time. He stressed that such technologies must be commercialized rapidly through private sector participation.
Chouhan outlined several concrete avenues for CSR support: agri-tech startups, agricultural training institutions, capacity building of drone pilots, development of agri-business leaders and food processors, and empowerment of women farmers and Self-Help Groups. He specifically mentioned initiatives like Drone Didi and women-led SHGs as driving a new revolution in agriculture-based enterprises.
The Minister clarified that while companies are mandated to allocate 2% of profits toward CSR, this should be viewed as a moral responsibility rather than merely a legal obligation. He referenced Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of trusteeship, stating that those who possess wealth are not its owners but its trustees, and wealth ultimately belongs to society. The conclave brought together corporate leaders, scientists, policymakers, and farmer representatives, with Ministers of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Ramnath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary also participating.