- About
- Functions & Mandate
- Who’s Who
- Beneficiaries
- How It Works
- Major Programmes & Initiatives
- Services Provided
- Related Initiatives
- Contact Details
- Feedback & Grievances
- FAQ
Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
🏛️ About the Department
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
It was established in 1973 to coordinate, promote, and strengthen agricultural research, education, and extension systems across India.
DARE acts as the administrative link between the Government of India and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — the apex national organization for conducting and managing agricultural research and education.
Its mission is to ensure food and nutritional security through scientific innovation, support capacity building, and enable technology-driven sustainable farming.
Summary Snapshot
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Headquarters | Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Established | 1973 |
| Administrative Link | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Jurisdiction | Government of India |
| Focus Areas | Research, Education, Innovation, and Technology Transfer |
| Website | https://dare.nic.in |
Functions & Mandate
- Coordinate and promote agricultural research and education across India
- Oversee the functioning of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its institutions
- Formulate agricultural education policies and research strategies
- Promote international cooperation in agricultural research
- Encourage innovation, intellectual property management, and technology transfer
- Support extension services to bring research outputs to the farm level
- Strengthen agricultural universities, research institutes, and KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendras)
Who’s Who
| Designation | Name | Role / Description |
|---|---|---|
| Union Minister | Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan | Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Minister of State | Shri Ramnath Thakur | Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Minister of State | Shri Bhagirath Choudhary | Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Secretary (DARE) & Director General, ICAR | Dr. Himanshu Pathak | Heads DARE and ICAR; responsible for national agricultural research and education systems |
| Additional Secretary (DARE) | Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma | Oversees administration, HRD, and academic coordination |
| Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR | Dr. R. C. Agrawal | Manages agricultural higher education across ICAR universities |
| Director (International Relations) | Dr. Neelam Patel | Facilitates global collaborations and MoUs |
Beneficiaries
- Agricultural universities and research institutes
- Scientists, researchers, and agri-professionals
- Students pursuing agriculture and allied sciences
- Farmers and agri-extension workers (through applied research)
- Agritech startups and innovators
- Policymakers and government agencies involved in food and agriculture
How It Works
- Research & Policy Formulation:
DARE formulates national-level agricultural research and education policies. - Implementation through ICAR:
ICAR implements research and education activities via its 102 institutes and 71 universities. - Collaboration:
Works with global organizations like FAO, CGIAR, and World Bank for joint research projects. - Technology Transfer:
Ensures farmers benefit through extension and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). - Evaluation:
Monitors outcomes and aligns national research with emerging climate, food, and market challenges.
Major Programmes & Initiatives
| Programme / Scheme | Objective |
|---|---|
| National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) | Strengthen research capacity in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) |
| All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) | Pan-India research on crops, livestock, fisheries, and natural resources |
| National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) | Improve quality and infrastructure of agri-education in ICAR institutes |
| ICAR Research Data Management System (IRDM) | Digitization and data management of research projects |
| Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) | Field-level extension and training centers for farmers |
| Agrinnovate India Ltd. (AgIn) | Commercialization of agricultural technologies developed by ICAR |
| National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) | Research on adaptation to climate change in agriculture |
| World Bank–funded projects (NAHEP & NARES modernization) | Global partnerships for agri-education and institutional excellence |
Services Provided
- Agricultural research and technology development
- Support for agri-education, curricula, and scholarships
- Research fellowships and training programs
- International research collaborations and exchange programs
- Intellectual property rights (IPR) and patent facilitation
- Technology transfer and incubation through Agrinnovate India
- Scientific publications, journals, and knowledge dissemination
Related Initiatives
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
- Atmanirbhar Krishi Initiative
- Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Contact Details
Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
Krishi Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi – 110001
📞 Phone: 011-23382629 / 23386711
📧 Email: secy-dare@nic.in | 🌐 Website: https://dare.nic.in
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001
🌐 Website: https://icar.org.in
Feedback & Grievances
- Grievance Redressal: https://pgportal.gov.in
- RTI Queries: Available under “RTI” section on DARE website
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @icarindia
- Facebook: @ICARIndia
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the main role of DARE?
To coordinate, promote, and strengthen agricultural research and education systems in India.
Q2. What is the relationship between DARE and ICAR?
DARE provides administrative support and policy direction to ICAR, which executes agricultural research and education programs.
Q3. What are KVKs?
Krishi Vigyan Kendras are ICAR’s district-level institutions that train farmers and demonstrate new technologies.
Q4. How can students apply for scholarships under ICAR?
Through the National Testing Agency (NTA) portal during ICAR AIEEA exams.
Q5. How does DARE support international research?
By signing MoUs and collaboration projects with global agricultural research bodies.