SEHAT Mission
What’s in the news?
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have jointly launched “SEHAT – Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation”, a national mission-mode programme designed to translate agricultural advancements into tangible health outcomes for citizens.
Indian Council of Medical Research:
- ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
- Established in 1911, the ICMR is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research:
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established in 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
- The Council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences.
- The initiative aims to strengthen convergence between agricultural sciences and health research to address the emerging challenges of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and nutrition insecurity through science-driven interventions and sustainable agricultural transformation.
- The mission focuses on five priority areas of national significance:
- Development and evaluation of biofortified and nutrient-dense crop varieties to address malnutrition and improve nutritional status;
- Strengthening integrated farming systems to promote dietary diversification, enhance farm incomes, and build resilience;
- Addressing occupational health risks among agricultural workers through targeted, evidence-based interventions;
- Advancing agriculture-enabled strategies for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases through the promotion of functional foods and nutritionally superior crop varieties; and
- Strengthening ‘One Health’ preparedness through integrated surveillance, diagnostics, and research at the human–animal–environment interface.
- The mission will not have any separate funding as both the implementing agencies — ICAR and ICMR — will jointly bear the expenses.