Adilabad to emerge as cotton research hub with new ICAR centre

Adilabad to host Telangana’s first cotton research centre

Adilabad: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has approved the establishment of an All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) centre on cotton in Adilabad district. This will be the first dedicated cotton research facility in Telangana and is expected to become operational in 2025 with a separate budget allocation.

Adilabad, which is the second-largest cotton-producing region in the state, is set to gain significantly from the new centre. The facility will focus on developing improved cotton seed varieties, strengthening research infrastructure, and contributing to national-level agricultural research. It will also work in coordination with ICAR’s headquarters in New Delhi.

The centre is expected to directly support farmers by offering training, field demonstrations, and guidance on modern farming techniques. It will also promote awareness of advanced agricultural practices aimed at improving both productivity and profitability.

During the united Andhra Pradesh period, cotton research facilities were largely concentrated in regions such as Guntur and Nandyal, despite Telangana having substantial cotton cultivation areas.

At present, Telangana cultivates cotton on nearly 54 lakh acres, with around 8 lakh acres in the erstwhile Adilabad district alone. The region’s cotton is also exported to international markets. In comparison, Andhra Pradesh has about 10 lakh acres under cotton cultivation but previously hosted a larger share of research centres.

After the formation of Telangana, members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), led by Dr E. Dattatri, launched sustained efforts demanding a research centre in Adilabad. They submitted representations to both state and central authorities, which eventually led to the ICAR approval following the state government’s recommendation.

Dr Dattatri welcomed the decision, calling it a major milestone for cotton farmers in the region. He noted that the centre would improve access to high-quality seed varieties, strengthen research support, and benefit the farming community. He also highlighted that the team had been pursuing the demand for over two years through meetings and petitions across political levels.

The establishment of the centre is expected to transform Adilabad into a key hub for cotton research and innovation in Telangana.