New high-oleic groundnut varieties from ICRISAT and partners 

Indian groundnut farmers are set to benefit from new high-value market opportunities following the identification of two high-oleic groundnut varieties, including the first high-oleic groundnut approved for cultivation in India’s Northeastern States and Odisha.

Combining higher yields with premium oil quality, the new varieties are expected to improve farm profitability, strengthen India’s edible oil value chain, and support national efforts to reduce dependence on imported edible oils.

The Variety Identification Committee (VIC) of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Groundnut (AICRP-G) under ICAR identified two new high-oleic groundnut varieties—ICGV 201214 and ICGV 181030—for national release during the Annual Group Meeting held in Pune, India, from 21–23 April 2026.

High-oleic groundnuts contain significantly higher levels of oleic acid than conventional varieties, producing oil with improved shelf life, greater oxidative stability, and enhanced nutritional value. These characteristics are increasingly sought after by food processors, manufacturers and health-conscious consumers, creating opportunities for premium pricing across the value chain.

First high-oleic variety for Northeastern states and Odisha

ICGV 181030 (ICDh 181030) 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 (Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra) and Zone IV (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, ICRISAT.

Higher oil content and strong market appeal

The second variety, ICGV 201214 (ICGG 107), was jointly developed by ICRISAT and Junagadh Agricultural University.

Recommended for cultivation during the Kharif season in Zone II (Gujarat and Rajasthan), the medium-duration Spanish bunch variety contains 81% oleic acid, 53% oil, and 27% protein, producing bold, attractive kernels preferred by both farmers and the market.

Across three consecutive years of multi-location testing, the variety consistently recorded higher oil content than the zonal check varieties and achieved a 19% improvement in kernel yield over the widely grown variety JL 501.

“The future of crop improvement lies in developing differentiated products that benefit farmers, consumers and industry alike.”

“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,” stated Dr Raman Babu, Global Research Program Director – Accelerated Crop Improvement (ACI), ICRISAT.

Underscoring the value of long-term partnerships, director general of ICRISAT Himanshu Pathak said ICRISAT’s long-standing partnerships with UAS Dharwad and Junagadh Agricultural University have been instrumental in advancing the high-oleic groundnut revolution in India.

“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.

“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,” said Pathak.

With their adaptation to Odisha and the Northeastern States, these varieties are well-positioned to support the expansion of groundnut cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). Their combination of higher productivity, premium oil quality and market demand represents an important step towards enhancing India’s oilseed competitiveness, reducing edible oil import dependence, and creating greater value for farmers, processors and consumers alike.