Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru: India’s Premier Horticultural Innovation Hub
What is IIHR?
The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), established in September 1967, is a premier autonomous institution under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Headquartered at Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, IIHR is dedicated to the research, development, and innovation in horticultural crops including fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal plants, and mushrooms. It is India’s foremost center for technology generation and capacity building in horticulture.
Objectives of IIHR
- Conduct basic and applied research in horticulture.
- Develop improved crop varieties, production, and protection technologies.
- Disseminate horticultural knowledge to stakeholders.
- Promote entrepreneurship and commercialization through technology transfer.
- Facilitate farmer training, market linkage, and sustainable production.
Vision and Mission
- Vision: To be a global leader in horticultural research and innovation for improving nutrition, income, and sustainability.
- Mission: To innovate and promote sustainable, climate-resilient, and market-driven horticultural technologies that enhance nutrition, farmer income, and entrepreneurship.
Research Excellence and Achievements
- Developed 330+ crop varieties/hybrids across 54 horticultural crops.
- Released 157+ technologies including post-harvest solutions, disease management, and mechanization.
- Generated ₹13,000+ crore annual economic value for Indian agriculture.
- Ranked #1 among 93 ICAR institutes (2019–2021).
- Houses India’s first cryobank for horticulture seeds.
Facilities and Services
- Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC): Offers diagnostic services, seed distribution, and advisory support.
- Fruit Plant Mall and Kamalam Fruit Centre of Excellence.
- Modern labs for biotechnology, pathology, entomology, and post-harvest technology.
- Bio-input development, seed production, and smart irrigation demo facilities.
- Farmer training centers, spawn incubation units, and plant clinics.
Startup Support: BESST-HORT Incubator
- BESST-HORT (Business Entrepreneurship Start-up Support through Technology in Horticulture) is IIHR’s incubation wing.
- Supports 40+ agri-startups with access to tech labs, IP services, funding, and mentorship.
- Promotes biopesticides, precision farming tools, horticulture automation, and value-added products.
- Facilitates tech transfer to industries and FPOs.
Events and Outreach
- National Horticulture Fair (NHF): India’s largest horticultural expo held annually since 2018.
- NHF 2025 Theme: Nutrition | Empowerment | Livelihood, attracting 70,000+ stakeholders.
- Capacity building for farmers, youth, and rural women through regular workshops and field demonstrations.
- MoUs with industry for product commercialization and policy outreach.
Sustainability and Farmer Impact
- Promotion of eco-friendly, low-residue horticultural practices.
- Strengthening Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and soil health initiatives.
- Launch of digital tools for precision farming and climate-smart cultivation.
- Dissemination of high-yield, pest-resistant varieties to over 1 million farmers.
Challenges Addressed by IIHR
- Low productivity in traditional horticulture.
- Poor shelf life and post-harvest losses.
- Lack of quality planting material.
- Climate variability and water scarcity.
- Weak market linkages for smallholder farmers.
Contact Information
- Address: Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR) Hesaraghatta Lake Post,Bengaluru – 560 089,Karnataka, India
- Email:director.iihr@icar.gov.in
- Website: https://iihr.res.in
Conclusion
The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, is a cornerstone of India’s agricultural innovation system. Through world-class research, impactful training, and dynamic startup support, IIHR is transforming Indian horticulture into a globally competitive, sustainable, and income-generating sector. Its role in enhancing nutritional security and farmer resilience makes it a national asset in the truest sense.