ICAR - Central Arid Zone Research Institute

The ICAR Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), headquartered in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is India’s apex research organisation dedicated exclusively to arid zone research and development. Established in 1952 as the Desert Afforestation Research Station (DARS) which was then reorganised as the Desert Afforestation and Soil Conservation Station (DASCS) in 1957 and renamed Central Arid Zone Research Institute in 1959. Since 1966, the institute has functioned under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) an autonomous body under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.

CAZRI is the only national institute with a mandate to conduct basic and applied research on the sustainable development of India’s arid and semi-arid regions. Its core objectives include developing climate-resilient farming systems, conserving natural resources, combating desertification, improving livestock and rangeland productivity, and generating location-specific technologies suited to the fragile dry-land environment. The institute main campus in Jodhpur is supported by five Regional Research Stations at Bikaner, Pali, Jaisalmer, Bhuj, and Leh and three Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at Jodhpur, Pali and Bhuj that facilitates frontline demonstrations, on farm testing, capacity building, and technology dissemination.

Over the past six decades, CAZRI has made significant contributions to the rehabilitation and productivity enhancement of India dry-lands. Its pioneering sand-dune stabilisation and shelterbelt plantation programmes has visible impact in controlling soil erosion, desertification and protecting agricultural landscapes. Building on this foundation, the institute has developed integrated farming and agroforestry systems that combine trees, crops, and grasses to improve soil fertility, enhance water-use efficiency, and diversify livelihoods.

Through continuous genetic improvement of arid-adapted crops such as cluster bean, moth bean, and pearl millet, and the introduction of drought-tolerant fruit and forage species, CAZRI has enhanced crop productivity and farmer incomes under low-rainfall conditions. Its innovations in pest and disease management, rainfed agriculture, and livestock-based systems have further strengthened production resilience in resource-scarce environments.

The institute has also emerged as a leader in climate change adaptation, renewable energy applications, and digital natural-resource management. Recent initiatives include the establishment of modern infrastructure an agri-business incubation centre, wastewater treatment plant, auditorium, and training facilities to strengthen innovation and outreach. CAZRI has also developed year-round fodder production technologies for arid zones and introduced spectroradiometer-based crop assessments to quantify carbon and water footprints, and polyhouse cultivation.

Today, ICAR–CAZRI serves as a national hub for dryland science, technology, and policy support, driving sustainable land-use, ecological restoration, and rural resilience across India’s hot-arid and cold-arid regions.

Dr. S.P.S. Tanwar