New Delhi: 25/8/26: The 36th Annual Conference of Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities was inaugurated today in New Delhi by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development. Organised on the theme “Reimagining Agricultural Higher Education for ViksitBharat@2047,” the two-day Conference (25–26 August 2026) brings together Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities, senior officials of DARE and ICAR, Deputy Directors General, Additional Directors General and senior scientists to deliberate on reforms and priorities for a future-ready agricultural education system.
The inaugural session was also graced by Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ram Nath Thakur, Union Ministers of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, along with senior officials and dignitaries.
Addressing the Conference, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised that the success of agricultural education must be measured not by the number of degrees awarded, but by the knowledge and skills created and the tangible change brought to farmers’ lives. He called for reimagining agricultural education to make it practical, technology-driven and closely aligned with farmers’ needs. He stressed that research must move from laboratories to fields through stronger collaboration among agricultural universities, ICAR, KVKs, FPOs, industry and farmers. He urged universities to set clear goals, develop actionable roadmaps and measure outcomes, so that every conference leads to concrete decisions and contributes to building a modern, resilient and prosperous agricultural sector for Viksit Bharat.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary emphasised that a developed India requires a strong and prosperous agriculture sector and empowered farmers. He said India’s journey from food scarcity to self-sufficiency reflects the collective contribution of farmers, scientists, teachers, and institutions, and that the next priority must be to make agriculture technology-driven, innovative, and future-ready.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ram Nath Thakur emphasised that strengthening agriculture and empowering farmers are fundamental to achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat. He highlighted the need to modernise agricultural education, promote innovation and equip youth with the knowledge and skills required to address emerging challenges.
Secretary, DARE & Director General, ICAR, Dr M.L. Jat, emphasised that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat requires a fundamental transformation of agricultural higher education—from traditional models to a future-ready, skill-driven and innovation-led ecosystem. He stressed the need to strengthen industry–academia partnerships, promote demand-driven research, ensure robust accreditation and leverage data-driven decision-making.
The Conference also reviewed measures to align JRF/SRF research with national priorities, strengthen accreditation and quality assurance, and improve financial management, accountability and performance-based funding. Emphasis was placed on stronger industry–academia linkages, apprenticeships and internships, curriculum revision, and promotion of dual, twinning and joint degree programmes and academic exchange.
Earlier, Dr Yashpal Malik, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR, delivered the welcome and context-setting address. The inaugural session also featured the presentation and discussion on the Action Taken Report of the previous Conference and a review of progress on earlier decisions.