Dry Ginger variety · Released variety
IISR Varada
Also known as IISR-Varada
Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut · ICAR-IISR · 1996
Good quality, high-yielding with plumpy rhizomes, flattened fingers, medium reddish-brown scales. Low fiber content (3.29–4.5%), tolerant to diseases. Less prone to storage insect damage.
Key facts
| Type | Released variety |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut |
| Breeder / source | ICAR-IISR |
| Year released | 1996 |
| Parentage | Germplasm selection |
| Yield | Reported 22.6 t/ha fresh; suitable for all ginger regions |
| Tolerance | Disease tolerance, storage pest resistance |
| Distinctive features | Bold rhizomes with flattened fingers, medium-sized reddish-brown scales, low fiber |
| Grown in | All-India; adopted across India's ginger belt |
| Also known as | IISR-Varada |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
IISR Varada in detail
A bold, high-yielding ginger released from IISR, Calicut in 1996. It is grown across India and valued for a reliable yield of around 22.6 t/ha and notably low fiber content.
Origin & story
IISR Varada (Acc. 64) was released in 1996 by the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, which is part of ICAR. It was developed through germplasm selection and went on to be widely used for commercial ginger cultivation across several Indian growing regions.
How it grows
Matures in about 200 days with a mean fresh yield of around 22.6 t/ha. Like ginger generally, it suits warm, humid climates and well-drained soils such as sandy loam, clay loam, red loam, or lateritic loam; in West Coast regions planting is commonly done in February-March under irrigation or in May with pre-monsoon showers. Typical ginger spacing is roughly 20-25 cm between rows and 20-25 cm between plants, with seed rhizomes sown a few centimetres deep.
Quality & character
Bold, plumpy rhizomes with flattened fingers and medium reddish-brown scales. Crude fiber content is low at 3.29-4.5%, with dry recovery around 20.7% and essential oil about 1.75%. It is tolerant to diseases.
Why it matters to buyers
Dry ginger from this variety is reported to be less prone to storage insect damage, which can help reduce post-harvest losses for processors and traders. The low fiber content appeals to fresh-market buyers. Its disease tolerance and steady yields support reliable supply.
About dry ginger
India grows dry ginger across regions from Kerala's monsoon tropics to Meghalaya's cloud forests, with varieties ranging from released ICAR cultivars bred for yield and oil content to landrace types named after their localities—each with distinct flavor, fiber, and disease profiles that shape both farmer returns and global export quality. The varieties…
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