In the backdrop of call for ‘’Atmanirbhar’’ in edible oil production and gradual emergence of groundnut more as a food crop, it is imperative to explore the potentials of the Public-Private Partnerships in achieving higher productivity vis-à-vis higher edible oil production, diversifying use of groundnut for value added products, boosting exports, and popularizing the available technologies to enhance productivity. To address all issues concerning groundnut productivity, export and need of groundnut industries and to bring all stakeholders in a common platform, ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research has organized an Industries Interface meeting at this Directorate on 7 December, 2020. Dr. A. R. Pathak, former Vice-Chancellor, JAU, Junagadh was the chairman of the programme. Besides, Dr. V. P. Chovatia, Vice-Chancellor of Junagadh Agricultural University;  Dr. M. S. Basu and Dr, J. B. Misra, former Directors of ICAR-DGR, Junagadh; Dr. Rajeev Varshney, ICRISAT; Dr. P. Janila, ICRISAT; Dr. R. K. Mathur, Director, IIOPR; Dr.Sujatha, M., Director, IIOR; Dr. Nita Khandekar, Director, IISS; Dr. P. K. Rai, Director, DRMR; Dr. I. U. Druj, Ex-Associate Director of Research, JAU, Junagadh; Shri Arun Shetty, Groundnut Plant Science, MARS; Shri Tushar Thummar, Kedut Feed and Food; Shri Kishorebhai Viradiya, President SOMA; Dr. K. L. Dobariya, former Principal Groundnut Breeder, JAU, Junagadh; Dr. Manish Pandey, ICRISAT; Dr. Anand B., BARC; Dr. Radhakrishnan T., Director, ICAR-DGR and representative from different industries and institutions (altogether 60 delegates) participated in the event.   Deliberations were made on present scenarios and future prospects of groundnut in changed climatic condition. The future need of industries to boost export, importance of promoting cultivation of high oleic groundnut, aflatoxin contamination, improving nutritional and reducing anti-nutritional factors were also discussed. All the dignitaries highlighted the importance of developing high yielding and high oil containing groundnut varieties, which are industry-worthy, having high oleic acid, and can address the concerns of climate change. After thorough discussions among the participants, the following consensus has been arrived:

• Need for prioritizing research on development of high yielding groundnut varieties having uniform seed size and shape; high oleic and high oil content; fresh seed dormancy; drought tolerant; low aflatoxin and allergen load; low flatulence; low oil with high protein; high blanchability; high Fe and Zn content; etc.  to meet the requirement of industries and other stakeholders
• Development, popularization, and cultivation of high oleic groundnut to make them available in the market
• Emphasis may be given on increasing the production of quality seeds of improved high yielding groundnut varieties and make them available to the farmers. Maintaining seed purity should also be emphasized in the value chain.
• Mechanization of cultivation, development of improvised techniques to prevent water logging; regular advisory to farmers to tackle pest and diseases; promotion of organic cultivation of groundnut and branding of Indian groundnut should also be prioritized

Director, ICAR-DGR, Junagadh informed the delegates that many of the above issues are being addressed and few more will be taken up by the scientists. The meet ended with the vote of thanks to the chair and to the participants.