Sun Jan 19 14:18:31 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh’s Central Tobacco Research Institute Renamed, Expands Research Focus
**RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, Andhra Pradesh, January 19, 2025** – The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has officially renamed the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) in Rajahmundry as the National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (NIRCA), effective January 19th. This restructuring expands the institute’s research mandate beyond tobacco to include turmeric, chili, castor, and ashwagandha.
Established in 1947, CTRI, headquartered in Rajamahendravaram, boasts six research stations across India and two Krishi Vignan Kendras (Agricultural Science Centers) in Andhra Pradesh. The decision to rename and refocus the institute follows a recommendation from an expert committee submitted to ICAR.
NIRCA will now concentrate on four key areas: research and development, sustainability and climate resilience, capacity building and training, and market linkage and commercialization of the four new crops. The change reflects ICAR’s broader strategy to diversify agricultural research in India.
First Piper 