Central Arid Zone Research Institute

What Central Arid Zone Research Institute does

Central Arid Zone Research Institute (ICAR-CAZRI) is a government research institute established in 1959 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, operating under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It is the only specialized institute under ICAR dedicated exclusively to arid zone agricultural research and extension. The institute develops climate-resilient crop varieties (moth bean, guar, pearl millet), sand dune stabilization techniques, water harvesting and conservation technologies, solar-powered agricultural devices (PV pumps, fencing, dryers), integrated livestock production systems, and alternate land use systems suited for dryland farming. It maintains a germplasm collection including 64 cactus accessions sourced from ICARDA for fodder and food applications, and operates a Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF) housing particle size analyzers, FTIR, GC, atomic absorption spectrophotometers, UV-Vis, microscopes, milk analyzers, PCR, and GIS units.

CAZRI delivers its mandate through a distributed network comprising 5 Regional Research Stations (Bhuj, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Pali-Marwar, and Leh for cold arid Ladakh), 3 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs in Jodhpur, Pali, and Bhuj), an ENVIS environmental information node, an Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) Centre, and an Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU). It serves primarily small and marginal farmers across Western Rajasthan, Kachchh (Gujarat), and cold arid Ladakh through Kisan Melas (farmer fairs drawing 1,900–2,350 attendees), on/off-campus training, model village programs, publications, social media, and the AgriMedia mobile app. The primary customer base is smallholder arid zone farmers, with secondary engagement through state agriculture and animal husbandry departments.

As a government entity, CAZRI does not operate on a commercial revenue model. Most farmer-facing services are provided free of cost; limited revenue is generated through consultancy, analytical testing fees at SAIF, guest house/hostel rentals, sale of farm products, publications, and training services. Core funding flows from ICAR and the Government of India. The institute's commercial activity is increasingly oriented toward technology transfer and commercialization of patented solar and agricultural technologies via the ITMU and ABI entrepreneur programs. It is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Name

Central Arid Zone Research Institute

Legal name

ICAR - Central Arid Zone Research Institute (भाकृअनुप - केन्द्रीय शुष्क क्षेत्र अनुसंधान संस्थान)

Website

https://cazri.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ICAR-CAZRI is a 1959-founded Indian government agricultural research institute in Jodhpur specializing in arid zone farming systems, climate-resilient crop varieties, water harvesting, and livestock management for small farmers across Western Rajasthan, Gujarat, and cold arid Ladakh.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Extension Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soil Testing & Nutrient Analysis Services (AFACAKAA), CEA Monitoring, Sensors & Automation Software (SCADA, IoT, Climate/Recipe Control) (AFAAAHAG), Nutrient Management Planning & Fertility Programs (AFACABAB)

Keywords

• Arid zone agricultural research
• Dryland farming technologies
• Climate-resilient crop varieties
• Water harvesting solutions
• Desert agriculture extension

Headquarters

HQ city

Jodhpur

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Central Arid Zone Research Institute (ICAR-CAZRI) conducts agricultural research and develops technologies for arid and semi-arid regions of India. Its core offerings include climate-resilient crop varieties (moth bean, guar, pearl millet), water harvesting and conservation methods, sand dune stabilization techniques, solar agricultural devices, livestock management systems, and thorn-less cactus cultivation. The institute delivers these to farmers and government agencies through 5 Regional Research Stations, 3 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), farmer fairs, training programs, and analytical testing facilities.

Product overview

ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) is a multi-component research and extension platform offering agricultural technologies, products, and services for arid region development. The core offerings include CAZRI-developed agricultural technologies (crop varieties, farming techniques, machinery, seed production), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) extension centers for farmer training, the Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF) for research support, and solar devices for agricultural applications. Supporting offerings include the AgriMedia Video App for mobile outreach, regional research stations across India's arid zones, ENVIS environmental information services, and published research including GAZE reports, technical bulletins, and farmer-oriented materials. The institute prioritizes low-cost, sustainable, and practically adoptable technologies for desert agriculture and livelihood improvement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAZRI Technologies for Arid Region Farming
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) - Agricultural Science Centers
• Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF)
• Solar Devices for Agricultural Use
• Patented Technologies for Commercialization
• AgriMedia Video App
• Regional Research Stations (RRS)
• ENVIS Center (Environmental Information System)
• Agricultural Consultancy Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Thorn-less cactus can replace up to 40% of daily fodder requirement for cow, buffalo and goats
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arid Zone Research Association of India (AZRAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2015Collaborated for SAPECO-2015 National symposium at CAZRI-RRS Leh - first symposium in cold arid region during AZRAI's 53-year history
• Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), LehminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2015Collaborated in SAPECO-2015 symposium focusing on cold arid region agricultural challenges
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization providing mandate, funding, and policy direction for CAZRI's arid zone research activities across India
• ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided 64 cactus accessions being evaluated at CAZRI Bhuj since 2012 for fodder and human consumption; Dr. Mounir Louhaichi from ICARDA participated in cactus field day
• Agricultural Universities (SAUs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Rajasthan Agricultural University (MPAUT Udaipur, SKRAU Bikaner) for research coordination and farmer training
• State Line Departments (Agriculture & Animal Husbandry)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint programs for technology dissemination, farmer training, and implementation of government agricultural schemes
• ICAR Regional Committee No. VIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-state coordination committee covering Rajasthan and Gujarat for regional agricultural development planning
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3 KVKs in Jodhpur, Pali, and Bhuj serve as frontline extension units for technology transfer to farmers
• ATARI (Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute), Zone VIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates KVK activities in the region for effective technology dissemination

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI): India's flagship and largest ICAR research institute covering all major crops and disciplines. While broader in mandate than CAZRI, it is the principal peer within India's public agricultural R&D ecosystem and a model for institutional scale.

Direct peers

• Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR): ICAR-Defence research institute based in Leh working on cold-arid agriculture and high-altitude farming systems. Closely comparable to CAZRI's Leh Regional Research Station activities and a strategic collaborator in cold arid regions.
• ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas): CGIAR center specializing in dry-area agricultural research, from which CAZRI sources cactus germplasm. Highly comparable in scope: dryland crop improvement, water management, and smallholder resilience in non-tropical arid zones.
• Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC): ICAR institute addressing soil and water conservation, watershed management, and erosion control—core themes overlapping with CAZRI's water harvesting and sand dune stabilization work. Co-participates in national symposiums on sustainable agriculture.
• ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics): CGIAR center headquartered in Hyderabad focused on dryland crops (sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea) and semi-arid farming systems. Directly comparable to CAZRI's mandate on arid/semi-arid agriculture, crop variety development, and smallholder farmer extension.
• Central Institute for Arid Horticulture (CIAH): ICAR sister institute under India's National Agricultural Research System, focused specifically on arid horticulture. Operates in similar geographies (Bikaner region) and overlaps with CAZRI on arid crop research, training, and technology transfer.
• ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices: ICAR research center based in Ajmer, focused on seed spices in semi-arid/arid conditions. Operates within the same western Rajasthan research ecosystem and collaborates on Kisan Mela exhibitions and arid-legume research.
• Central Arid Zone Research Institute peer — CSWRI (Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute): ICAR institute focused on sheep and wool production, a livestock area overlapping with CAZRI's arid-livestock research. Co-participates in arid-zone symposia and shares extension networks across Rajasthan.
• ATARI (Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute), Zone VI: ICAR body coordinating the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) extension network in western India. Operationally linked to CAZRI's three KVKs and directly comparable as an extension-services delivery platform.

Emerging players

• Arid Zone Research Association of India (AZRAI): Specialized association promoting arid-zone research in India, co-organizing the SAPECO-2015 symposium with CAZRI. Functions as a convening and knowledge-exchange peer for arid-zone researchers and policymakers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IcarArid
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gmcazri8603
• Facebookfacebook.com/Aridlandagriculture
• Instagraminstagram.com/cazrijodhpur/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-arid-zone-research-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Central Arid Zone Research Institute