Centenary Celebration of ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod

10^th December,2016, Kasaragod

The Hon’ble Union Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh  inaugurated the Kisan Mela, centenary expo, centenary park, centenary building and Kalpaka Guest house at ICAR-CPCRI,  Kasaragod on 10 December, 2016.  A number of dignitaries including Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary DARE and D.G., ICAR, Shri. P. Karunakaran, M.P., Shri E. Chandrasekharan,  Hon'ble Minister, Govt. of Kerala, Shri. Anant Kumar Hegde, M.P., Shri. Nalin Kumar Kateel, M.P., Shri N.A. Nellikkunnu, MLA, Shri S.R. Sathishchandra, President, CAMPCO,  Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Dr. A.K. Singh, Chairman, CDB etc. graced the occasion.  The Minister  released a number of important publications, viz.  CPCRI - 100 Years of Scientific Excellence, Harvesting Wisdom of Coconut Growers and  Coconut  brought out by CPCRI, Kasaragod  and value-added coconut products, and the Indian Horticulture - a magazine published by the DKMA, ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR, inaugurated the 3rd International Symposium on Coconut Research and Development (ISOCRAD) at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod and released publications , Biotechnology of Plantation Crops, Impacts of Climate Change in Plantation Crops, and Diseases, Pests and Disorders of Plantation Crops.

The Minister addressed scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders on the occasion of completion of centenary year of ICAR- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod. The Agriculture Minister said that land holdings in Kerala are 0.22 hectare against the national average of 1.15 hectare. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt unified agricultural practices to get higher income from plantation crops, which are  low-volume  high-value crops so as to make agriculture a profit- making sector. He further emphasized that by adopting multi-dimensional crop cycle systems, with the inclusion of coconut along with black pepper, banana, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and elephant-foot yam, the farmers of  Kerala  will be benefited. The Agriculture Minister stated that CPCRI has given the nation greater developmental  pace by developing innovative techniques related to plantation crops during the span of 100 years.

He added that India is among the world's leading coconut- producing nations and  Kerela being  a significant contributor in coconut production. During 2014-15, 32 per cent   area in  Kerala  gave  24 per cent of the total production   in our  country.  During  2015-16, coconut products worth  Rs.1450 crore were exported.

Kerala has been playing a leading role while formulating biodiversity strategy in the state, said the Minister.  Besides, livestock and fisheries sector are getting momentum.    The Agriculture Minister also said that Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a number of schemes for the welfare of   farmers. Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana (PMKSY), irrigation schemes have been launched in Karpujha and Mowatupujha in Kerala which are to be completed by March 2018. Under Soil Health Card Scheme, a target of 7,05,420 Soil Health Cards had been fixed for distribution in Kerala. However, only 1,32,828 Soil Health Cards have been distributed in Kerala as yet. Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), 119 clusters as a whole are in place for which a sum of Rs.382.22 lakh have been released. However, the utilization certificates are awaited from the state government in this regard. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a revolutionary insurance scheme for farmers. But this scheme has not been implemented in Kerala till now. More than 250 Mandis have been linked nation wide with National Agriculture Market (e- NAM) by 6  September  2016 and a target has been laid down to link 585 Mandis  by the March 2018. But e – NAM Scheme has not been launched in Kerala. The Minister also emphasized to implement different central agricultural schemes for the welfare of   farmers of kerala.

The Minister of Agriculture appreciated the efforts of scientists, officers and employees for conducting various agricultural  programmes during the centenary year of the Institute.

(Source: ICAR-CPCRI,Kasaragod)