Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday jointly launched a national mission, Science Excellence for Health Through Agricultural Transformation, acronymed as SEHAT (or health), that aimed at building an integrated farming system to improve human health with a focus on traditional knowledge.
The mission will not have any separate funding as both the implementing agencies — Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) — will jointly bear the expenses. But Chouhan said that funding would not be a constraint to achieving the goal.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan also stressed the rich value of Indian traditional knowledge and recited some Sanskrit verses that talked about the selection of food to remain healthy.
Promote biofortified crops
He said the SEHAT mission would promote biofortified crops, healthy livestock and nutrient-rich fish products, encourage diverse, safe and balanced diets across age groups, and reduce occupational risks for agricultural workers. The mission will also develop food-based solutions to address malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and micronutrient deficiencies, he said and advised both research bodies to have a target-based approach rather than an unending long-term plan.
“The country has sufficient foodgrains now. The focus is on ensuring nutritious food for the people and boosting their health,” Chouhan said.
ICAR Director General M L Jat said the institute had developed and released 203 biofortified crop varieties over the last ten years, but the absence of clinical trials had limited public appreciation of these advances. With ICMR’s involvement, it would create a win-win situation by validating and promoting such varieties, Jat added. ICMR Director General Rajiv Bahl noted that agriculture and health solutions had long operated in isolation, limiting the translation of agricultural progress into measurable health outcomes.
Forced by dual burden
“Integrating agriculture, nutrition and health research is essential to improve population health and strengthen farmers’ well-being,” he said, adding that India’s dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition, alongside a surge in non-communicable diseases, made the mission the need of the hour.
Meanwhile, Chouhan, on the sidelines, said that wheat production this crop year (July-June) is likely to surpass last year’s 117.94 million tonnes (mt) despite localised damage caused by unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms. The agriculture ministry has estimated the output at 120.21 mt for 2025-26 prior to unseasonal rains.
Also, the minister said that after the BJP government assumed power in West Bengal, the G RAM G law would be implemented along with many other Central schemes, which could not be launched in the State earlier or suspended. He also said that the PM Fasal Bima Yojana may also be launched from the ensuing Kharif season, as the State never implemented the Centre’s flagship crop insurance scheme.
The Centre on Monday notified the rural job guarantee scheme under the G RAM G act, which would be effective from July 1 and would completely replace the previous MGNREG Act.
Published on May 11, 2026