ICMR‑ICAR ने ‘SEHAT’ मिशन लॉन्च किया, जो कृषि, पोषण और स्वास्थ्य को जोड़ता है – एक प्रिवेंटिव‑केयर पहल

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>On <strong>11 May 2026</strong>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Indian Council of Medical Research — apex body for biomedical research in India, responsible for health research, policy advice and innovation (GS3: Economy; GS4: Ethics)">ICMR</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Indian Council of Agricultural Research — premier organization for agricultural research and education, coordinating research institutes across the country (GS3: Economy)">ICAR</span> jointly launched <span class="key-term" data-definition="Science Excellence for Health through Agricultural Transformation — a mission‑mode programme to align agricultural research with nutrition and public‑health outcomes (GS3: Economy; GS4: Ethics)">SEHAT</span>. The programme aims to translate agricultural advances into measurable public‑health benefits, reflecting the Modi‑government’s shift from curative to preventive healthcare.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Launch announced by <strong>Shri J.P. Nadda</strong>, Union Health Minister, and <strong>Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan</strong>, Union Agriculture Minister, underscoring inter‑sectoral collaboration.</li> <li>SEHAT will prioritize <span class="key-term" data-definition="Biofortified crops — crop varieties bred to increase essential micronutrients like iron, zinc or vitamin A, aiming to combat micronutrient deficiencies (GS3: Economy)">biofortified crops</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Integrated farming systems — agricultural practices that combine crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture to enhance productivity, sustainability and dietary diversity (GS3: Economy)">integrated farming systems</span>, occupational health of farm workers, and nutrition‑sensitive strategies for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) — chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer, representing a growing health burden in India (GS3: Economy)">NCDs</span>.</li> <li>The mission adopts a “whole‑of‑government, whole‑of‑system” approach, integrating science, policy and implementation.</li> <li>Outcome‑based funding will support low‑cost, high‑quality, indigenous innovations in diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>India now faces a dual burden of disease: persistent under‑nutrition alongside rising prevalence of lifestyle‑related <span class="key-term" data-definition="Non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) — chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer, representing a growing health burden in India (GS3: Economy)">NCDs</span>. The Ministry of Health stresses reduced intake of sugar, salt and oil, while ICAR is tasked with delivering nutrient‑dense food systems. The mission’s five priority pillars are:</p> <ul> <li>Development and evaluation of nutrient‑dense, biofortified varieties.</li> <li>Promotion of integrated farming for dietary diversification and farmer income.</li> <li>Occupation