Indian groundnut farmers are poised to tap into new high-value market opportunities following the identification of two high-oleic groundnut varieties that promise higher yields and premium oil quality, strengthening the country’s edible oil sector while boosting farm incomes.
The two varieties—ICGV 201214 and ICGV 181030—were identified for national release by the Variety Identification Committee (VIC) of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Groundnut (AICRP-G) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The announcement was made during the Annual Group Meeting held in Pune, India, from April 21 to 23, 2026.
The newly identified varieties are expected to support India’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported edible oils by increasing domestic production of high-quality oilseeds.
High-oleic groundnuts contain substantially higher levels of oleic acid compared to conventional varieties. This results in oil with improved shelf life, enhanced oxidative stability and greater nutritional value.
The qualities are increasingly in demand among food processors, manufacturers and health-conscious consumers, creating opportunities for premium pricing throughout the value chain.
A major milestone is the identification of ICGV 181030 (ICDh 181030), the first high-oleic groundnut variety approved for cultivation in India’s Northeastern States and Odisha.
The variety 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 cultivation during the Kharif season in Zone II, covering Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and Zone IV, which includes Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and the Northeastern States.
“This variety contains approximately 78% oleic acid and delivered a 7% increase in pod yield over three years of testing compared with the best zonal check, Girnar 3, in Zone IV, while recording a 12% yield advantage over TG 37A in Zone II,” said Dr Janila Pasupuleti, Principal Scientist – Groundnut Breeding at ICRISAT.
The second variety, ICGV 201214 (ICGG 107), was jointly developed by ICRISAT and Junagadh Agricultural University. Recommended for cultivation during the Kharif season in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the medium-duration Spanish bunch variety combines high oil and protein content with attractive kernels preferred by farmers and markets.
The variety contains 81% oleic acid, 53% oil and 27% protein. Trials conducted across multiple locations over three consecutive years showed that it consistently outperformed zonal check varieties in oil content while delivering a 19% improvement in kernel yield over the widely cultivated JL 501 variety.
According to ICRISAT, the development of such varieties reflects a broader shift in crop improvement efforts aimed at creating products that deliver value across the agricultural supply chain.
“The future of crop improvement lies in developing differentiated products that benefit farmers, consumers and industry alike,” said Dr Raman Babu, Global Research Program Director – Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI), ICRISAT.
“These high-oleic groundnut varieties demonstrate how advanced breeding, combined with strong partnerships, can simultaneously enhance farmers’ income, improve nutritional quality and contribute to India’s edible oil self-reliance,” he added.
ICRISAT Director General Dr Himanshu Pathak highlighted the role of long-term collaboration in advancing high-oleic groundnut breeding in India, noting that partnerships with UAS Dharwad and Junagadh Agricultural University had been critical to the achievement.
“Building on the success of Girnar 4 and Girnar 5, these new varieties show what is possible when science and strong partnerships come together with a clear purpose,” said Dr Pathak.
“They will help farmers earn more from every harvest, strengthen India’s edible oil sector, and give consumers greater access to healthier cooking oil choices.”
With their suitability for cultivation in Odisha and the Northeastern States, the new varieties are expected to support the expansion of groundnut production under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds).
Their combination of higher productivity, superior oil quality and growing market demand is seen as a significant step toward improving India’s oilseed competitiveness, reducing edible oil imports and creating greater value for farmers, processors and consumers.
