Originally established in 1905 at Pusa (Bihar) with the financial assistance of an American Philanthropist, Mr. Henry Phipps, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) started functioning from New Delhi since 1936 when it was shifted to its present site after a major earthquake damaged the Institute’s building at Pusa (Bihar). The Institute’s popular name ‘Pusa Institute’ traces its origin to the establishment of the Institute at Pusa.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute is the country’s premier national Institute for agricultural research, education and extension. It has the status of a ‘Deemed-tobe-University’ under the UGC Act of 1956, and awards M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in various agricultural disciplines.
The growth of India’s agriculture during the past more than 100 years, is closely linked with the researches done and technologies generated by the Institute. The Green Revolution stemmed from the fields of IARI. Development of high yielding varieties of all major crops which occupy vast areas throughout the country, generation and standardization of their production techniques, integrated pest management and integrated soil-water-nutrient management have been the hallmarks of the Institute’s research.
The Institute has researched and developed a large number of agrochemicals which have been patented and licensed and are being widely used in the country. Over the years, IARI has excelled as a centre of higher education and training in agricultural sciences at national and international levels.