The Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG) is a research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), dedicated to scientific research and development on natural resins, gums and other non-timber forest products of plant and insect origin. The institute is located at Namkum, on the outskirts of Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand, India.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Type | Public research institute |
| Parent body | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India |
| Location | Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| Focus areas | Lac, natural resins, natural gums, tasar host plants, related insect culture |
| Former name | Indian Lac Research Institute (ILRI) |
Background
India has historically been one of the world's leading producers of lac, a natural resin secreted by the lac insect (Kerria lacca) on host trees such as Butea monosperma (palas), Schleichera oleosa (kusum) and Ziziphus mauritiana (ber). The Chota Nagpur plateau, of which Ranchi forms a part, is among the most important lac-producing tracts in the country, which influenced the choice of location for a dedicated research institute in this region.
Beyond lac, the institute's mandate covers a wide range of natural gums and resins of commercial importance, including karaya, guar, gum arabic substitutes from indigenous species, and oleo-resins. Research extends from cultivation of host plants and insect rearing through processing, value addition, product development, and the socio-economic upliftment of forest-dependent communities and tribal cultivators who form the bulk of producers.
History
The institute traces its origins to the establishment of a lac research facility at Namkum during the colonial period, when lac was a significant export commodity from India. It was subsequently reorganised as the Indian Lac Research Institute (ILRI) and brought under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
To reflect the broadened mandate covering all natural resins and gums in addition to lac, the institute was renamed the Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums. The expanded scope recognised the importance of multiple non-timber forest products in rural livelihoods and in industries such as adhesives, coatings, food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Research and activities
- Improvement of lac insect strains and host plant varieties for higher yield and quality.
- Studies on cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of natural gums and resins.
- Development of value-added products, including shellac-based coatings, biopolymers and food-grade applications.
- Transfer of technology and training programmes for farmers, tribal communities and entrepreneurs.
- Maintenance of germplasm of lac insects and host plant species.
- Collaboration with state agricultural universities, forest departments and industry on extension and commercialisation.
Regional centres and outreach
In addition to its main campus at Namkum, the institute operates regional research and extension stations in lac-producing belts of central and eastern India, supporting location-specific research and farmer outreach. Its training programmes target both producers in tribal areas and processors in the small-scale industrial sector.
Significance
IINRG is the only institute in India with a comprehensive mandate covering natural resins and gums, and it plays a central role in sustaining India's position in the global lac trade. Its work directly affects the livelihoods of lakhs of small and marginal cultivators, particularly tribal communities in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra, where lac and gum collection are important seasonal sources of income.
Related topics
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Lac
- Shellac
- Kerria lacca
- Non-timber forest product
- Ranchi
- Jharkhand
- Butea monosperma
References
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research, institute profile.
- Wikidata entry: Q18125954.