The Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode, on Tuesday entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement for the cultivation of its improved mango ginger variety, ‘IISR Amrit’, in Gujarat.
The licence has been granted to Limkheda Taluka Mahila Bagayat Sahkari Mandali Ltd., a cooperative society focussed on empowering women farmers through collective strength in agriculture, a press release said.
The licensing was supported under the project on improvement of spice value chains at ICAR-IISR funded by the Tata Trusts. The agreement was signed at the IISR headquarters, Kozhikode, on the sidelines of the research advisory committee meeting of the institute. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IISR, handed over the agreement to Parvatiben Bhursinghbhai Kalasva, chairman, Limkheda Taluka Mahila Bagayat Sahkari Mandali Ltd.
Through this partnership, ICAR-IISR will enhance the availability of quality planting material of IISR Amrit in Gujarat, opening new livelihood opportunities for farmers in the region.
Mango ginger (Curcuma amada) has a long-standing presence in Gujarat’s kitchens, where it is commonly used in pickles, chutneys, and salads for its raw-mango-like flavour.
Beyond its culinary use, it is valued for its antioxidant and digestive properties, making it a popular ingredient in traditional remedies. Although grown in small pockets across India, its commercial cultivation has remained limited.
IISR Amrit, a mango ginger variety developed by ICAR-IISR in 2023, has a unique and pleasant flavour profile. The variety has an average yield of 31 tonnes per hectare, significantly surpassing local cultivars, and is renowned for its refined flavour, enhanced aroma, and golden-yellow rhizomes, which have strong consumer appeal. Its higher antioxidant content further boosts its value in both food and nutraceutical sectors.
“Gujarat has a rich culinary tradition of using mango ginger. With rising demand, IISR Amrit will provide farmers with a profitable diversification option alongside crops like ginger and turmeric, which are already familiar to them,” said Dr. Dinesh.
Officials at ICAR-IISR said that the introduction of IISR Amrit in Gujarat was expected to not only improve farmer incomes but also strengthen local spice value chains in the region. Tata Trusts, through its grassroots organisations, is facilitating the adoption of the new variety by farmer collectives, ensuring that both economic and nutritional benefits reach rural communities.
Alongside this, ICAR-IISR also issued a licence for its black pepper variety, ‘IISR Chandra’, to Amrita Nursery, Nadapuram, Kozhikode.
Published – September 23, 2025 11:53 pm IST
