(IARI) Indian Agricultural Research Institute

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is India’s premier national institute for agricultural research, education and extension. Founded in 1905, it is located in Pusa, New Delhi and is affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). IARI is recognized as a Centre of Excellence for research and education in agriculture and allied sciences.

The IARI continues to play a critical role in India’s agricultural development, with its research programs focusing on addressing the challenges of climate change, soil degradation, and food security. Its contributions to India’s agricultural sector have been widely recognized, and the institute has received numerous awards and accolades over the years.

To get admission into Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), it is mandatory to qualify ICAR UG examination.

 

Research areas:

The IARI has played a crucial role in the development of agriculture in India. Its research programs have focused on increasing agricultural productivity, developing new crop varieties, improving soil quality, and reducing crop losses due to pests and diseases. The institute has also been instrumental in the development of modern farming techniques, such as irrigation, mechanization, and crop rotation.

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The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) conducts research in various fields related to agriculture and allied sectors.

Some of the major research areas of IARI are:

1. Crop Improvement: IARI focuses on developing new varieties of crops that are high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient. The institute has developed several popular varieties of wheat, rice, maize, and other crops that have significantly contributed to increasing the productivity of Indian agriculture.
2. Plant Protection: IARI conducts research on various plant protection measures, including biological control, integrated pest management, and the use of pesticides. The institute has developed several biocontrol agents and technologies for pest management, which have been widely adopted by farmers.
3. Natural Resource Management: IARI researches soil health, water management, and conservation of natural resources. The institute has developed several technologies for soil testing, conservation agriculture, and precision farming, which have helped in enhancing the efficiency of resource utilization.
4. Agricultural Engineering: IARI conducts research on agricultural machinery, post-harvest technology, and farm mechanization. The institute has developed several farm machinery and implements, such as seed drills, threshers, and harvesters, which have increased the efficiency of farm operations.
5. Social Sciences: IARI also conducts research on various social and economic aspects of agriculture, including rural livelihoods, gender issues, and market linkages. The institute has contributed significantly to the development of agricultural policies and programs in India.

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Contribution to India:

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has played a pivotal role in the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, which led to the Green Revolution in the 1960s. The Green Revolution transformed India from a food-deficit country to a food-sufficient one, which owes much of its success to the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice at IARI. 

The institute developed a number of high-yielding varieties of wheat, including Sonalika, Kalyan Sona, and Sharbati Sonora, which are widely cultivated in the country. These varieties have significantly increased the yield per hectare of wheat and helped India achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production. 

The institute developed high-yielding crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases. For example, the institute developed the high-yielding wheat variety known as “Sonora-64”, which helped to significantly increase wheat production in India. 

Similarly, IARI developed high-yielding varieties of rice, such as IR8, which has played a key role in increasing rice production in India. IR8, also known as “Miracle Rice,” was developed in the 1960s and has since been widely cultivated in India and other Asian countries. 

The variety is resistant to pests and diseases and has a higher yield per hectare than traditional rice varieties. For instance, the development of the wheat variety ‘Kalyan Sona‘ and the rice variety ‘Pusa Basmati 1’ has helped in increasing the yield of these crops by several times.

Apart from wheat and rice, IARI has also developed high-yielding varieties of other crops, such as maize, millets, pulses, and oilseeds. The institute has also developed several varieties of vegetables and fruits that have high nutritional value and longer shelf life.

IARI has continued to innovate and develop new crop varieties to address the changing needs of the agricultural sector in India. The institute has also played a key role in disseminating knowledge of modern agricultural practices to farmers across the country through various extension programs.

The high-yielding crop varieties developed by IARI have significantly contributed to the food security of India and have helped improve the livelihoods of farmers. The institute’s continued research and innovation in agriculture will play a vital role in addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the country.

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Programs offered:

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) offers various academic programs in the field of agriculture and allied sciences at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.

The following are the programs offered by IARI:

• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agriculture – The program is a four-year undergraduate degree course that aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the agricultural sector.
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture – The program is a two-year postgraduate degree course that aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in various areas of agriculture, including crop improvement, soil science, plant physiology, and agricultural engineering.
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant Biotechnology – The program is a two-year postgraduate degree course that aims to provide students with a strong foundation in plant biotechnology, including genetic engineering, molecular biology, and plant tissue culture.
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – The program is a two-year postgraduate degree course that aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of molecular biology and biotechnology.

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• Ph.D. in Agriculture – The program is a doctoral-level degree course that aims to provide students with advanced research skills and knowledge in various areas of agriculture.
• Ph.D. in Biotechnology – The program is a doctoral-level degree course that aims to provide students with advanced research skills and knowledge in the field of biotechnology.

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Selection procedure:

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) offers admission to various programs based on the candidate’s performance in entrance exams and interviews.

• For admission to undergraduate programs, candidates must appear for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) entrance exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and agriculture. Shortlisted candidates are then called for counselling rounds based on their ranks.

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• For postgraduate programs, IARI conducts its own entrance exam, which consists of questions related to the candidate’s previous qualifications and the subject they are applying for. Shortlisted candidates are then called for an interview round, after which the final selection is made.
• For doctoral programs, IARI considers a candidate’s performance in the National Eligibility Test (NET). Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview round, after which the final selection is made.

 

Scholarships and fellowships:

The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) offers various scholarships and fellowships to support students pursuing agricultural research. Some of the scholarships and fellowships available at IARI are:

1. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): The JRF is offered to students who have completed their postgraduate degree in a relevant field and wish to pursue research at IARI. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 31,000/- for the first two years, and Rs. 35,000/- for the third year, along with a contingency grant of Rs. 20,000/- per annum.
2. Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): The SRF is awarded to candidates who have completed their JRF and wish to continue their research at IARI. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 35,000/- for the first two years, and Rs. 40,000/- for the third year, along with a contingency grant of Rs. 20,000/- per annum.
3. National Talent Scholarship (NTS): The NTS is offered to undergraduate students pursuing their degree in agriculture or related fields. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 2,000/- for a period of four years.
4. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Scholarship: The ICAR scholarship is awarded to postgraduate students pursuing their degree in agriculture or related fields. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 12,000/- for a period of two years.
5. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Scholarship: The BBSRC scholarship is awarded to students pursuing their PhD in the field of agriculture and allied sciences. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000/- for a period of three years.
6. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Scholarship: The IRRI scholarship is awarded to students pursuing their PhD in rice research at IARI. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 25,000/- for a period of three years.

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The selection for these scholarships and fellowships is based on merit and the eligibility criteria set by the respective funding agencies. Applicants need to apply for these scholarships and fellowships through the prescribed application process and submit their research proposals for evaluation. The selected candidates will be notified by the funding agencies.

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Conclusion: 

In conclusion, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has played a significant role in the development of Indian agriculture since its inception in 1905. With its innovative research, development of high-yielding crop varieties and training programs, IARI has contributed to the transformation of Indian agriculture from a subsistence-based system to a modern, technology-driven one. The institute has also been instrumental in increasing the production of important crops such as wheat, rice, and pulses. IARI’s dedication to research and education continues to play a vital role in ensuring food security in India and improving the livelihoods of farmers. Through its various programs and initiatives, IARI is well-positioned to continue driving progress and innovation in Indian agriculture in the years to come.

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