ICAR DG Calls for Demand-Driven Agriculture, Releases New Fruit Varieties while on his visit to ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru

5 May 2026, Bengaluru

Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, visited the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru today and reviewed the institute’s research activities, infrastructure, and technology development programmes. During the visit, he inspected key facilities including the Nursery Unit, BESST-HORT incubation facility, Mushroom Unit, Seed Processing Unit, Technology Demonstration Block, Pesticide Residue Laboratory, and the Central Biotechnology Laboratory. He also interacted with staff & students and witnessed an exhibition showcasing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and value-added products developed by the institute.

A meeting was held at the institute auditorium wherein the Dr Tusar Kanti Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, presented the major achievements, research priorities, and future initiatives and current research works on 54 crops. He reiterated the Director General’s emphasis on the importance of impact assessment of technologies, noting that the institute’s innovations have made significant contributions to crop improvement, farmer adoption, and horticulture-based entrepreneurship across the country.

In his address, Dr Jat emphasized the need for accelerating technology transfer, strengthening research-industry linkages, and scaling innovations for enhanced field-level impact.

“Agriculture remains the strongest pillar for building a self-reliant and developed India. If farming is not resilient and self-sustaining, national development cannot be achieved,” Dr Jat added.

He further stressed the need for a systems approach to agricultural research.

“This is no longer the era of commodity-based research alone. We must address the entire agri-food system from pre-production planning to post-harvest value chains,” he stated
“Biophysical sciences alone are not enough. Integrating social sciences is essential to ensure that our research delivers real impact on farmers and markets.”

During the visit, Dr Jat released two new horticultural varieties developed by ICAR-IIHR, namely Jamun variety ‘Arka Jamun Pride’ and Pummelo variety ‘Arka Siva’. These varieties are characterized by high yield, superior fruit quality, and improved market acceptability, and are expected to enhance productivity and farmer income.

The Director General also conducted an open house interaction with scientists, staff, and students, encouraging dialogue on institutional priorities.

ICAR-IIHR has developed 335 varieties and 154 technologies since inception, with 59 improved varieties and hybrids released during 2021–26. Its technologies have been spread across the country, and the institute has issued more than 1700 licenses for commercialization, supporting widespread adoption and horti-entrepreneurship.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru)