Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner

​The ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (ICAR-CIAH), located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is a premier research institution under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Established in 1993 and elevated to a full-fledged institute in 2000, ICAR-CIAH focuses on enhancing horticultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions through research, development, and technology dissemination.

About ICAR-CIAH

Situated approximately 10 km from Bikaner city on National Highway 15, ICAR-CIAH operates in a challenging environment characterized by extreme aridity, with average annual rainfall around 230 mm and temperatures ranging from 8.9°C in winters to 42.9°C in summers. The institute's research is tailored to these conditions, aiming to develop sustainable horticultural practices suitable for such climates.​

Research Mandate

ICAR-CIAH's core mandates include:

• Conducting basic, strategic, and applied research to enhance sustainable productivity and quality of horticultural crops in arid and semi-arid regions.

• Serving as a repository of genetic resources and scientific information on arid horticultural crops.

• Transferring technology, building capacity, and assessing the impact of developed technologies.

• Coordinating research and validating technologies on fruit crops suited for arid and semi-arid regions.

Key Research Areas

ICAR-CIAH focuses on a diverse range of horticultural crops, including:​

• Fruit Crops: Ber (Ziziphus spp.), pomegranate, date palm, aonla, bael, jamun, chironji, and custard apple.

• Vegetable Crops: Muskmelon, watermelon, sponge gourd, long melon, cluster bean, cowpea, and drumstick.

• Underexploited Fruits: Lasoda, ker, karonda, and mulberry.​

The institute also works on developing climate-resilient varieties and optimizing production technologies for these crops.

Academic and Extension Activities

ICAR-CIAH is staffed by a team of dedicated scientists and researchers across various departments, including Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Soil Science, and Plant Biotechnology. The institute actively engages in capacity-building programs, farmer training, and dissemination of research findings through events like Ber Technology Day and Citrus Field Day.

Collaborations and Impact

To facilitate the propagation and dissemination of improved varieties of semi-arid fruits, ICAR-CIAH has signed Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs) with industrial partners. Notable varieties developed include Bael varieties 'Goma Yashi' and 'Thar Divya', Jamun variety 'Goma Priyanka', and Chironji variety 'Thar Priya'. These collaborations aim to enhance farmers' income and promote sustainable horticultural practices in arid regions. ​