Lucknow: International Tractors Limited (ITL), the owner of Sonalika Tractors, plans to establish a 25-acre Global Research & Development Centre in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, as the tractor manufacturer looks to expand its engineering and agricultural technology capabilities for Indian and international markets.
The proposed greenfield centre was discussed during a meeting in Lucknow between Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the management of International Tractors Limited. ITL said the facility is envisioned as an advanced engineering hub focused on future-ready agricultural technologies and farmer-centric innovation.
The Greater Noida project is expected to strengthen ITL’s research and development capabilities by bringing engineering expertise closer to practical insights gathered from farmers. The company intends to use the centre to develop agricultural solutions tailored to requirements in both India and overseas markets.
For Uttar Pradesh, the proposed facility could also add to the state’s technology and industrial ecosystem through engineering roles, skill development, employment generation and research-led industrial activity.
The investment represents another step in ITL’s roughly three-decade journey in the agricultural machinery sector. While tractors remain very much about horsepower and fields, the industry’s development race is increasingly being fought in engineering laboratories as manufacturers seek greater efficiency, productivity and technology integration.
ITL said its discussions with the Uttar Pradesh government also covered the state’s role as a destination for technology-oriented industrial investment and the company’s longer-term innovation plans.
Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director, International Tractors Limited, said, “It was an honour to meet Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji, and share our vision for ITL’s new 25-acre Global R&D Facility in Greater Noida, UP. This marks a significant step towards shaping the next frontier of agricultural innovation for us at ITL and we are deeply grateful for his encouragement, confidence and inspiring leadership that supports the business ecosystem to flourish. His decisive vision for a progressive, technology-driven Uttar Pradesh inspires us to think bigger, move faster and build for the future.
Our ambition is to create a globally benchmarked institution for agricultural research and innovation – developing technologies that empower farmers, transform agriculture and redefine what is possible. From Uttar Pradesh, for India and the world – we look forward to building the future of farming.”
International Tractors Limited describes itself as India’s No.1 tractor export brand and operates Sonalika Tractors as its flagship brand. The proposed Greater Noida centre is intended to become part of the company’s broader global research and innovation network.
The project also underlines the growing importance of research and engineering investment in India’s agricultural machinery industry, where manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond conventional equipment development towards technology-led solutions designed for changing farming requirements.
If completed as envisaged, ITL’s Greater Noida R&D centre would give Uttar Pradesh another sizeable engineering and agricultural technology facility while providing the tractor maker with a dedicated base for developing products and technologies aimed at farmers in India and markets worldwide.
