ICARDA to Inaugurate the Food Legume Research Platform in India

ICARDA will officially inaugurate the newly established Food Legume Research Platform (FLRP) in Amlaha, Madhya Pradesh, on February 7, 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s and South Asia’s efforts to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Honorable Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, as Chief Guest. Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), will serve as Presiding Guest of Honor. The event will be hosted by ICARDA Director General Aly Abousabaa, together with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, international development partners, scientists, farmer-producer organizations, and farming communities.

The program will begin with the arrival and welcome of dignitaries, followed by a ceremonial tree planting by the Honorable Union Minister. This will be followed by a field visit and farmer interaction, during which the Minister will view advanced technologies and improved crop varieties designed to enhance productivity, resilience, and water-use efficiency in dryland farming systems.

The formal inauguration will include the opening of the FLRP’s administrative building, farmers’ training center, and state-of-the-art laboratories for plant genomics, plant tissue culture, plant breeding, and plant pathology. These new facilities significantly strengthen ICARDA’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge research, accelerate the development of climate-smart pulse varieties, and support the large-scale dissemination of innovations across India and South Asia.

Following the inauguration, the Honorable Minister will inspect exhibitions showcasing improved seeds, pulse-based products, and climate-smart agricultural technologies. The program will then move to the formal on-stage ceremony, beginning with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, welcome remarks, and the felicitation of dignitaries.

The morning session will feature presentations on the National Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses, ICARDA’s work in the pulses sector, and strategies for using new technologies to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production. A key highlight will be the launch of the Pulses Mission Portal, along with the distribution of improved seed varieties to selected farmers, reinforcing the mission’s farmer-centered approach. Addresses by the Agriculture Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the Honorable Union Agriculture Minister, and Dr. Mohan Kumar Yadav, Honorable Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, will outline national and state-level priorities for strengthening India’s pulses value chain.

The afternoon session will focus on Farmers’ Day and a national stakeholder consultation under the National Pulses Mission. Progressive farmers from Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, representatives of farmer-producer organizations, seed producers, pulse millers, and the plant-based food industry will share perspectives on production challenges, value addition, and market opportunities. Discussions will address the delivery of improved varieties to farmers’ fields, disease management in pulses, mechanization in production and post-harvest operations, strengthening seed systems, and timely procurement at Minimum Support Price, with contributions from ICAR, NAFED, NCCF, ICARDA, public seed agencies, and private-sector partners.

The consultation will conclude with reflections on future strategy by Dr. M. L. Jat, followed by addresses from State Agriculture Ministers and a press briefing.

Established with the support of ICAR, the Government of India, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the FLRP in Amlaha serves as a regional hub for research, innovation, and capacity development. In recognition of its strategic importance, the platform has been granted United Nations status by the Union Cabinet, underscoring its role in advancing sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Since its establishment, the FLRP has delivered measurable results across research, development, and capacity building, including:

• 34 projects implemented

• USD 50 million mobilized

• 158 crop varieties released

• 240,662 hectares covered with improved technologies

• 550,000 direct beneficiaries, including 34% women

• 15,000 capacity-development events

• 520 scientific publications

The platform’s mandate crops, lentil, chickpea, grass pea, faba bean, wheat, barley, and cactus, reflect both regional priorities and global food system needs, positioning the FLRP as a cornerstone of India’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in pulses and climate-resilient agriculture.