Dr. Ravi Kumar Mathur, Director of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has built an extensive career at the intersection of agricultural research, scientific innovation, institutional leadership and national policy development. With decades of experience in oilseed and oil palm research, he has contributed significantly to strengthening India’s efforts towards edible-oil security, sustainable cultivation and technology-led agricultural development.
Since November 2022, he has been leading ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad, where his responsibilities encompass scientific research, institutional administration, technology development and collaboration with farmers and agricultural stakeholders. Earlier, he served as Director of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (ICAR-IIOPR), Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh, from September 2015 to November 2022. His leadership across both institutions has been marked by an emphasis on translating scientific research into practical solutions for farmers.
His research contributions span groundnut, oil palm, sesame, sunflower, niger and safflower. Under his scientific and institutional leadership, several varieties have been released, including two groundnut, five oil palm, one sesame, one sunflower and one safflower variety. He has also contributed to the registration of seven groundnut and 17 oil palm genetic resources with the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
A major dimension of his work has been the development of innovative technologies and intellectual property. His contributions include a process and kit for insect-facilitated controlled pollination in oil palm and a molecular approach for identifying dwarf oil palm plants using SSR markers. He has also been associated with 17 copyrights. Among his notable technological initiatives are the Oil Palm Microsatellite Database (OpSatdb), CAPS molecular markers for identifying fruit forms in oil palm and the Oil Palm Site Suitability Evaluator (OPSSE), a decision-support system designed to assist in identifying suitable locations for oil palm cultivation. He has further promoted digital agricultural outreach through the AI-based “Oilseeds Kisan Mitra” WhatsApp channel.
His expertise has also extended into national agricultural policy. He has contributed to important policy documents associated with the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) and National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds). His contributions have included work on costing and pricing for achieving self-sufficiency, the IIOPR Vision Document 2050, reassessment of potential areas for oil palm cultivation and management strategies for rugose spiralling whitefly in oil palm, mapping of suitability areas for oilseeds in India etc.
Farmer engagement remains another important aspect of his professional contribution. He has supported the formation of farmer groups for oil palm harvesting and chaff-cutter use while providing handholding support to two Farmer Producer Organizations in Telangana’s Siddipet district. These initiatives reflect his focus on connecting institutional research with grassroots agricultural needs.
His professional standing is reinforced by numerous fellowships, awards and peer-recognition roles. His honours include the Education ICON Award for Excellence in Research, Research Excellence Award 2024, Reviewer Excellence Award for legume research, Bharat Excellence Award and World Dynamic Achievers of Excellence Award 2024. He also received the Dr. C. S. Venkataram Memorial Award for Best Original Research Paper at PLACROSYM-XXV in 2024.
He has held several leadership and professional positions, including Vice President of the Society for Promotion of Oil Palm Research and Development and the Indian Society of Oilseeds Research. He has served on executive committees and boards associated with major agricultural institutions and national programmes, while also organizing and leading national and international conferences.
With 199 publications, an H-index of 25 and an i10-index of 41, his academic record reflects sustained research productivity. Through scientific innovation, farmer-oriented interventions, policy engagement and institutional leadership, he continues to contribute to India’s broader objective of strengthening oilseed production and achieving greater self-reliance in edible oils.
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