One's importance is sometimes highlighted by its very absence. Dismal crop output and underutilised land are ideal indicators of the importance of agricultural research. KIAAR strives to address these very issues.

The Karnataka Institute of Applied Agricultural Research (KIAAR) was established with the aim of conducting applied research for the benefit of the farming community at large and regional sugar factories, in particular. Working towards this goal, the Institute has helped in identifying high sugar varieties suitable to the region, and also in discovering newer varieties of sugar.

These crops are fast becoming an integral part of cane crushing in the neighboring Indian states. With about ten such institutes in the country, KIAAR is the only one of its kind in the private sector and is acknowledged as a centre for sugarcane research for the Indian peninsular region.

Led by eminent scientific personalities, KIAAR has always benefited from their knowledge and experience. Over the years, this has come to play a vital role in the agricultural activities of the Somaiya Group.

Objectives

KIAAR was established with the following main objectives in view:

• To encourage and assist farmers in the backward district of Bijapur, to take up sugarcane cultivation on scientific lines
• To test the varieties of sugarcane under the agro-climatic conditions of North Karnataka, to select and multiply seeds of suitable varieties, and to supply disease-free healthy seeds of these varieties to farmers for commercial cultivation
• To evolve and popularise sound soil and water management practices 
• To educate and train farmers in various aspects of scientific agriculture
• To devise and popularise labour-saving agricultural implements and machines suited to the region

History

Godavari Sugar Mills Limited, when set up, had to reckon with agriculture, of a subsistence level and irrigated farming, of an inadequate standard. The agronomical practices were primitive. It was imperative to get infrastructure into place and a 'Lab to Land' programme was conceived. This led to the birth of KIAAR in 1971.

The Institute is registered under the 'Mysore Societies Registration Act of 1961' and is now recognised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, as a center of research in agriculture. Under the guidance of its founder director, the late Mr.R.R.Panje, and its subseqent directors, Dr.H.L.Kulkarni, Dr.R.G.Menon, and Dr.R.Narasimhan, the Institute has progressed rapidly into a premier agricultural research centre.

Location

The Karnataka Institute is located at Sameerwadi, a part of the Mudhol township (taluka) of the Bijapur district in the Indian State of Karnataka.

Collaborations

Approved as a Research Institute by the Department of Science and Technology, KIAAR works in collaboration with other research institutes such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Centre for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Institute of Scientific Research (IISR), and the prestigious Sugarcane Breeding Institute.

The annual production currently ranges from 1.25 million to 1.45 million bags of sugar.

Research studies

KIAAR, the premier agricultural research centre has amassed kaleidoscopic experience. Its presence has been actively felt in various agricultural sections. It has documented quite a few case studies which will show you how KIAAR has virtually been the lifeline of crops. To see how KIAAR made a difference to Indian agriculture, click on Research Index to look up the Research Papers.