About NRCL
Who We Are
The NRCL is premier national institute for conducting research and developments on litchi and provide leadership at national level. It also acts as a national repository of information on litchi production, processing, value addition, and provides consultancy services to end users
The ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi was established on 6th June, 2001 at the fag end of IXth Plan by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research to act as a nodal institution for research and development on litchi in India in a mission mode approach. The Centre started functioning from 2002 with budgetary allocation and the first batch of two scientists joining the Centre in March, 2002. The lease deed was signed on 25th June, 2002 between the ICAR and Government of Bihar to transfer 100 acres of land to the Centre at Mushahri. The Centre was strengthened during 2005 and onwards by redeploying scientific, technical and supporting staff along with administrative support and financial assistance for developing infrastructural facilities and to carry out the research work. The Centre is located at Mushahari, on Muzaffarpur-Pusa Road at 2605’87’’ N latitude, 85026’64’’ E longitude at an elevation of 210 m. It is about eight km from Muzaffarpur railway station. The area has typically subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 1100-1300 mm. The soil conditions of the area are alluvial with sandy loam texture and are calcareous having pH 7.5 – 8.0. The research farm of the centre is spread over an area of 40 ha.
Currently, the Centre has one RMP, 7 scientific, 8 technical, 7 administrative and 2 supporting staff against the sanctioned strength of one RMP, 15 scientific, 8 technical, 11 administrative and 2 supporting staff. The sanctioned scientific position represent the various disciplines of Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Soil Science, Biotechnology, Physiology, Pathology, Entomology, Economics, Extension and Computer Applications.
NRCL Vision
To develop ICAR-NRCL as centre of excellence in the field of litchi research, extension and skill development for providing livelihood security and economic prosperity to litchi growers and traders
NRCL Mission
Harnessing science and technology by interfacing research and extension activities for enhanced quality production, productivity, processing and use diversification for sustained litchi production, industry and trade.
NRCL Mandate
NRCL Functions
- To undertake basic, strategic and applied research for enhancing productivity, quality and utility of litchi.
- To act as repository of genetic resources and scientific information on all aspects of litchi.
- To undertake front-line demonstration in newer technologies and to impart training for upgrading scientific knowledge.
NRCL Infrastructure Facilities
A number of equipments were procured such as GCMS, AAS, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, leaf area meter, portable photosynthesis meter, horizontal electrophoresis unit, nitrogen analyser, flame photometer, trinocular phase-contrast upright microscope, trinocular compound microscope, stereo binocular microscope, ultracentrifuge, modified atmospheric packaging unit, hydro-cooling system, forced-air cooling system, litchi grading machine, plastic strip sealing and packaging machine, litchi peeling machine, cool storage chamber, bottle washing machine, Litchi harvester cum pruner, power sprayer and mist chamber and a state-of-art glasshouse facility for different research and supportive activities at the centre by establishing crop production, protection and post harvest management laboratories besides central instrumentation facility.
NRCL Library
The library is has a good collection of literature in the field of litchi cultivation and other related fields including Hindi literature in horticulture and allied fields. It has 1340 books including recent editions of 400 reference books, 16 encyclopaedias and 30 vol. of Britannica. Currently, 11 Indian and 11 international journals are being subscribed. The centre has published 7 technical bulletins and 9 extension bulletins that are available in the library for researchers, extension workers and farmers.
NRCL Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit
The centre has an Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU) to manage the knowledge database with software of international repute such as SAS, FMS-MIS, CAB abstracts, horticultural abstract and other computing software's available through LAN system as shared resources. It has its own server. Fast internet connectivity has been provided through NKN which is available to users 24×7 throughout the weekdays. The website (https://nrclitchi.icar.gov.in/) is accessed worldwide by many users.