ICRISAT and research partners develop premium-quality, high-yielding groundnut varieties for key production regions
01 July 2026, New Delhi: Indian groundnut farmers are set to benefit from the introduction of two new high-oleic groundnut varieties that combine superior yields with premium oil quality, creating new income opportunities while strengthening India’s edible oil value chain.
The two varieties—ICGV 201214 and ICGV 181030—have been identified for national release by the Variety Identification Committee (VIC) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s (ICAR) All India Coordinated Research Project on Groundnut (AICRP-G). The decision was taken during the Annual Group Meeting held in Pune from April 21–23, 2026.
The development marks a significant milestone for India’s oilseed sector, with ICGV 181030 becoming the first high-oleic groundnut variety recommended for cultivation in Odisha and the Northeastern States.
High-oleic groundnuts contain substantially higher concentrations of oleic acid than conventional varieties, resulting in cooking oil with improved shelf life, greater oxidative stability and enhanced nutritional value. These characteristics are increasingly valued by food processors, food manufacturers and health-conscious consumers, opening avenues for premium pricing throughout the value chain.
First High-Oleic Groundnut for Eastern and Northeastern India
ICGV 181030 (ICDh 181030) was jointly developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad.
The medium-duration Spanish bunch variety has been recommended for Kharif cultivation in Zone II (Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra) and Zone IV (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and the Northeastern States).
According to Dr. Janila Pasupuleti, Principal Scientist – Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT, the variety contains around 78% oleic acid and delivered a 7% higher pod yield than the leading zonal check variety, Girnar 3, during three years of evaluation in Zone IV. It also recorded a 12% yield advantage over TG 37A in Zone II.
Higher Oil Content with Premium Market Potential
The second variety, ICGV 201214 (ICGG 107), was jointly developed by ICRISAT and Junagadh Agricultural University.
Recommended for Kharif cultivation in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the medium-duration Spanish bunch variety contains 81% oleic acid, 53% oil and 27% protein, while producing bold, attractive kernels that are preferred by both farmers and the processing industry.
During three years of multi-location trials, the variety consistently outperformed existing checks in oil content and achieved a 19% increase in kernel yield over the widely cultivated variety JL 501.
Advancing Crop Improvement Through Partnerships
Highlighting the broader significance of the new varieties, Dr. Raman Babu, Global Research Program Director – Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI), ICRISAT, said modern crop improvement must focus on delivering differentiated products that create value for farmers, consumers and industry simultaneously.
He noted that the newly developed high-oleic groundnuts demonstrate how advanced breeding and collaborative research can improve farm incomes, enhance nutritional quality and contribute to India’s goal of edible oil self-reliance.
ICRISAT Director General Dr. Himanshu Pathak emphasized that the institute’s long-standing collaboration with UAS Dharwad and Junagadh Agricultural University has been instrumental in advancing high-oleic groundnut breeding in India.
Building on the success of earlier varieties such as Girnar 4 and Girnar 5, he said the new releases would enable farmers to earn higher returns, strengthen the country’s edible oil sector and provide consumers with healthier cooking oil options.
With their suitability for Odisha and the Northeastern States, the new varieties are also expected to support the expansion of groundnut cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). Their combination of higher productivity, premium oil quality and stronger market demand is expected to enhance India’s oilseed competitiveness while reducing dependence on imported edible oils.
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