ICMR and ICAR jointly launched the SEHAT initiative to strengthen connections between agriculture, nutrition, and public health through scientific research and preventive healthcare strategies.

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• SEHAT was launched on 11 May 2026 in New Delhi as a national mission linking agricultural transformation with improved healthcare and nutrition outcomes across India.
• The programme is jointly operated by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for coordinated scientific and public health implementation.
• SEHAT focuses on preventive healthcare by promoting better nutrition, disease prevention strategies, and healthier agricultural systems instead of treatment-based healthcare approaches.
• The initiative prioritizes biofortified crops, integrated farming systems, occupational health safety for agricultural workers, and stronger national One Health preparedness mechanisms.
• ICAR has developed 203 biofortified crop varieties containing enhanced micronutrient content to help address malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies in staple food consumption.
• ICMR will conduct clinical validation trials on biofortified crop varieties to scientifically assess their nutritional effectiveness and long-term public health benefits in India.
• The mission also targets non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer through agriculture-linked nutrition planning and evidence-based healthcare interventions.
• One Health under SEHAT strengthens coordination between human health, animal health, and environmental health for sustainable disease prevention and improved national health security.