Central Plantation Crops and Research Institute
Established in the year 1970 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Central Plantation Crops and Research Institute (CPCRI), serves as a national forum for improving the genetic potential of plantation crops, to produce genetically superior planting materials for coconut, arecanut, spices and cashew. It was in 1916 that a coconut research station was established in Kasaragod by the Government of Madras. Subsequently it was taken over by the Indian Central Coconut Committee in 1948 and continued till 1970. The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) was established in 1970 as one of the agricultural research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), by merging Central Coconut Research Station, Kasaragod, Central Coconut Research Station, Kayamkulam as well as CentralArecanut Research Station, Vittal and its five substations at Palode and Kannara (Kerala), Hirehalli (Karnataka), Mohitnagar (West Bengal) and Kahikuchi (Assam).
The main priorities of the institute are the research and frontline aspects of coconut, areca nut, and cocoa. These are carried under five divisions viz, crop improvement, crop production, crop protection, physiology, biochemistry and post harvest technology and social sciences. The Institute has three Regional Stations – Kayamkulam (Kerala), Vittal (Karnataka) and Minicoy (Lakshadweep) and three Research Centres – Kahikuchi (Assam), Mohitnagar (West Bengal) and Kidu (Karnataka). The institute is equipped with well established research farms, well equipped laboratories at Headquarters, Regional Stations and Research Centres, besides a Library cum Documentation Centre at headquarters and Regional Stations. The Extension Section, Agricultural Technology Information Centre and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are the means by which the transfer of technology is facilitated.
The CPCRI has released five coconut hybrids, eight high yielding coconut varieties, five high yielding Areca nut varieties, one Cocoa variety and four Cocoa hybrids to the farming community through its extensive research activities for commercial cultivation.
Bekal
