CPCRI’s 110th Foundation Day on January 5

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, a national institute dedicated to plantation crops research, will celebrate its 110th Foundation Day on January 5, 2026.

Coinciding with the event, the institute, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, will hold the 26th edition of the Plantation Crops Symposium for three days from January 5 at Kasaragod, according to its Director K. Balachandra Hebbar.

The symposium themed ‘Future proofing plantation sector for well being and welfare’ provides a national platform for over 200 scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and progressive farmers to deliberate on the emerging challenges and opportunities in plantation crops, focusing on research priorities for 2047, Mr. Hebbar said in a release.

The symposium will address key issues such as phenotypic and genotypic climate change adaptation, resource-use efficiency, pest and disease management, value addition, mechanisation, carbon sequestration, and enhancement of farmers’ income. Plantation crops such as coconut, arecanut, oil palm, palmyrah, cocoa, cashew, tea, coffee, rubber, and spices, though occupying less than 5% of India’s cultivated area, contribute to nearly 10% of the agricultural GDP and to over 14% of agricultural exports, underscoring their strategic importance to the nation’s economy.

The event highlights the collective commitment of the CPCRI, ICAR–IIOPR, ICAR–DCR, ICAR–IISR, UPASI, CCRI, RRII, CDB, and the Spices Board towards innovation-led growth, sustainability, and farmer welfare, while charting a future-ready road-map for the plantation sector, Mr. Hebbar said.

Directors and heads of all major plantation crop research institutes will grace the occasion. During the programme, new varieties will be licensed and MoUs will be exchanged for technology transfer.

Progressive farmers and the outstanding staff of CPCRI will also be honoured in recognition of their contributions.

Established in 1916, CPCRI has played a pivotal role in strengthening the plantation crops sector through research, innovation, and technology dissemination, particularly in crops such as coconut, arecanut, cocoa, and palmyrah. Over the years, the institute has released several improved varieties and hybrids, developed climate-resilient and farmer-friendly technologies, promoted value-added products, and contributed significantly to enhancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of plantation-based farming systems.

The CPCRI has its regional station at Vitla and a research centre with International Coconut Genebank – South Asia and Middle East (ICG-SAME) at Kidu near Kukke Subrahmanya in Dakshina Kannada district.