Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the SEHAT programme in New Delhi

Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the SEHAT programme in New Delhi

¨ Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the SEHAT programme in New Delhi on 11 May 2026.

¨     SEHAT stands for Science and Health through Agricultural Transformation.

¨     It is a national mission-based programme linking agricultural research with health outcomes in India.

¨     SEHAT has been designed as a joint initiative of ICMR and ICAR.

¨     Its objective is to create convergence between agriculture, nutrition and public health.

¨     The initiative is linked with India’s shift from curative healthcare to preventive healthcare.

¨     The programme prioritises biofortified crops.

¨     It also focuses on integrated farming systems.

¨     Occupational health of agricultural workers has been identified as a key focus area.

¨     The programme promotes One Health preparedness.

¨     It aims to address malnutrition.

¨     It also focuses on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

¨     ICAR has developed 203 biofortified crop varieties.

¨     These varieties will undergo clinical validation with the participation of ICMR.

¨     Biofortification is the process of increasing the nutritional content of crops.

¨     This is achieved through breeding or other agricultural methods.