Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Plantation Crop Research Institute, (ICAR-CPCRI) Kasaragod, India celebrated its 105th Foundation day on 5th January 2021 virtually.
The program started with a welcome address by Dr. Anita Karun, Director (Acting). In her address, she presented the research highlights of the institute for the year 2020. The major achievements for the year were conducting online training for the farmers amid the Covid-19 Pandemic and other research activities.
Dr. N.M. Nayar, Former Director of CPCRI delivered the Dr. K.V. Ahamed Bavappa Memorial Lecture. Dr. Bavappa was the former director of CPCRI and contributed a lot to the development of the institute. Dr. Nayar shared his experience with Dr. Bavappa and appreciated the work done by him.
Fecilitations address was given by Dr. Venkatesh N. Hubbali, Director, Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development, India, Dr. Homey Cherian, Director Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, India, Mr. Saradindu Das, Chief Coconut Development Officer, CDB, India, Dr. B. K. Pandey ADG (Hort Science) ICAR-India and Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC.
In her address, Dr. Jelfina congratulated Dr. Karun and her team of CPCRI for completing 105 years and achieving different milestones in the coconut sector. She appreciated the work done for the coconut farmers of India by CPCRI and the close association of ICC with CPCRI. She added CPCRI is hosting one of the largest Coconut Germplasm Centre of South Asia (ICG-SA) under COGENT program of ICC. ICC is looking forward to more such collaboration with CPCRI and mentioned that ICC is planning to have an in vitro Embryo culture workshop at CPCRI, India along with ICG-SA appraisal under COGENT program in 2021.
Dr. A.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Hort Science) extended the foundation day address and presented the Institutional awards in different categories which include Scientific, Technical, Administrative, and skill development. Some of the new publications of the institute were also released during the function. Dr. Singh emphasized more research activities in the coconut sector and appreciated the team of researchers of CPCRI for their achievements.
The exchange of MoA with Dr. YSR Horticultural University also executed in the field of student course in the undergraduate program.