CPCRI to celebrate 110th foundation day on Jan. 5

The ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod, will celebrate its 110th foundation day on Monday (January 5, 2026), coinciding with the three-day 26th Plantation Crops Symposium (PLACROSYM XXVI), to be held from January 5 to 7 on its campus.

Established in 1916, ICAR-CPCRI has played a key role in advancing plantation crop research in the country, particularly in coconut, arecanut, cocoa and palmyrah. The institute has contributed to the sector through the development of improved varieties and hybrids, climate-resilient technologies, value-added products, and farmer-friendly innovations, significantly enhancing productivity and sustainability in plantation farming.

PLACROSYM XXVI, themed ‘Future Proofing the Plantation Sector for Wellbeing and Welfare,’ will bring together over 200 scientists, academicians, policymakers, industry representatives and progressive farmers from across the country. Deliberations will focus on emerging challenges and future research priorities for the plantation sector, with a vision towards 2047.

Key areas to be discussed include climate change adaptation through phenotypic and genotypic approaches, efficient resource management, pest and disease control, mechanisation, value addition, carbon sequestration, and strategies to enhance farmers’ income.

Although plantation crops occupy less than five percent of India’s cultivated area, they contribute nearly 10% to the agricultural GDP and over 14% of agricultural exports. Crops such as coconut, arecanut, oil palm, palmyrah, cocoa, cashew, tea, coffee, rubber and spices thus hold strategic importance in the national economy.

The event reflects the collective efforts of ICAR-CPCRI and allied institutions, including ICAR-IIOPR, ICAR-IISR, UPASI-CPCRI, RRII, the Coconut Development Board and the Spices Board, in promoting innovation-led growth, sustainability and farmer welfare.

Prof. Siddu P. Algur, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, will be the chief guest, while Dr. V.B. Patel, Assistant Director General (Fruits and Plantation Crops), ICAR, New Delhi, will preside. Heads and directors of major plantation crop research institutes are also expected to attend.

Innovative coconut-based value-added products such as Kalpa Kuli, Kalpa Wafe Cone, Kalpa Velvet (dark chocolate) and Kalpa Qbitz (nata de coco) will be released during the programme. New varieties will be licensed, memoranda of understanding for technology transfer will be signed, and progressive farmers and outstanding staff of ICAR-CPCRI will be honoured.