The National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, hosted the Curtain Raiser of Emerging Agriculture Technologies (EAT) under the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025), marking the initiation of a national platform designed to enhance innovation and technology convergence in Indian agriculture. The event, held at the Dr D Sundaresan Auditorium (ICAR-NDRI, Karnal), convened senior officials, scientists, industry representatives, and experts from ICAR institutions across the country.
Launch of EAT under ESTIC-2025
The EAT initiative under ESTIC-2025 aims to promote science driven solutions to strengthen agricultural sustainability, address climate challenges, and improve food security. The programme will bring together engineering, biological, and digital technologies to advance precision farming, farm automation, and omics based approaches. The initiative aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the government’s Atmanirbhar Krishi objectives.
There is an urgent need for science led innovation to tackle climate change, sustainability, and food security. EAT under ESTIC-2025 will drive the convergence of engineering, biological, and digital technologies, advancing precision farming, farm automation, and omics based innovations, aligned with Atmanirbhar Krishi and the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
During the event, the ESTIC-EAT framework was outlined as an integrated national mechanism connecting stakeholders across ministries, research institutions, and industries. It was noted that ESTIC serves as India’s first collaborative platform combining efforts from 11 scientific ministries and departments under a whole of government model. The platform seeks to facilitate collaboration among research institutions, industry partners, academia, and government agencies to ensure that scientific progress translates effectively into practical applications across the agri food sector.
Emphasis on Collaboration and Technology Dissemination
The discussions at the ICAR-NDRI’s event focused on accelerating technology dissemination and institutional coordination to address sectoral needs. Participants highlighted the necessity for integrating animal science with digital innovations to enable sustainable livestock development and strengthen agri food value chains. The deliberations also underscored the importance of bridging research and implementation, ensuring that agricultural innovations developed in laboratories reach farmers and industry stakeholders in scalable and accessible forms.
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It was further emphasized that a structured, collaborative, and forward looking strategy is vital for converting research outcomes into operational models that set benchmarks for sustainable and technology enabled food systems. The approach reflects the evolving framework of agricultural research in India, one that is increasingly focused on interdisciplinarity, system integration, and outcome based innovation.
ICAR-NDRI’s Role and Conclave Announcement
ICAR-NDRI reaffirmed its continued role in developing sustainable dairy and livestock technologies, contributing to national food security and economic growth. It was announced that ESTIC-2025 will be held from 3-5 November 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India. The theme for the conclave is “Imagine, Innovate, Inspire for Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The conclave will serve as a platform for showcasing emerging technologies, policy dialogue, and stakeholder engagement across various scientific and industrial domains. It will bring together institutions from agriculture, biotechnology, energy, and allied sectors to outline India’s science and technology roadmap for the next two decades.
Commitment to Sustainable Agricultural Advancement
The Curtain Raiser concluded with the release of the video “ESTIC-Emerging Agricultural Technologies”, followed by the felicitation of dignitaries. The event reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth within India’s agricultural ecosystem. By hosting this prelude to ESTIC-2025, ICAR-NDRI positioned agricultural technology as a central component in achieving long term national goals of productivity, resilience, and self reliance in the agri food sector.