The Division of Agricultural Extension of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi put a stall at 5th Chief Secretaries Conference held during 26-28 December 2025 at NASC Complex Pusa, New Delhi. The ICAR stall highlighted the impactful outcomes of ICAR and skill development achievements of KVKs under its flagship programs of ARYA and SKILLING programs of Agricultural Skill Council of India (ASCI).

The specific attraction of the stall was agripreneurial development by KVKs and quality products developed by them along with the recent varieties developed by IARI such as genome edited rice, double zero mustard, short duration pigeon pea, bio-fortified lentil, mustard, high yielding chickpea, mothbean, sunflower, etc. The state specific cases for protected cultivation of Rajasthan, mushroom farming of Andhra Pradesh, floriculture of NEH states, canopy management of Telangana, honeybee rearing of Tamil Nadu and crop residue management of Punjab, were special attraction for the Chief Secretaries of the States. Chief Secretary of Odisha, Karnataka, Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Odisha and several other states visited ICAR exhibition and discussed about KVKs activities of their States. They appreciated the work of KVKs.

Fig- Shri Manoj Ahuja, Chief Secretary to Government of Odisha had discussion with Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR and DDG, Agricultural Extension

Ms Yogita Rana, Secretary, higher education Government of Telangana had discussion in the presence of Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR and DDG, Agricultural Extension about the development of course curriculum on SKILLING and inclusion of agriculture in secondary agriculture courses. The stall also exhibited recent publications of ICAR revealing its achievements and also exhibited popular publications viz. Indian farming, Indian Horticulture, Kheti and Phal-phool etc. which also attracted the visitors.

On the concluding day, CEO NITI AAYOG Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam visited the stall along with senior officers of NITI aayog and appreciated the exhibition and contribution of ICAR in organizing the CS Conference.

Fig. CEO NITI AAYOG Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam visited the stall

It has been a promising event which could happen with Team ICAR efforts under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR and DDG, AE, ICAR. The exhibition was coordinated by ICAR-ATARI, Jodhpur supported by all the ATARIs, and SMDs.