ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram Technologies Receive Appreciation at National Conference on Sustainable Spice Production in Maharashtra

26 August 2026, Sri Vijaya Puram

ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, showcased its innovative research, technologies and improved planting material for perennial spices at the National Conference on Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development of Tree Spices, held at Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra, on 24–25 August 2026.

The conference provided a platform for researchers, academicians, industry representatives, farmers, entrepreneurs and students to exchange knowledge, innovations and ideas for promoting sustainable development of the spice sector.

Recognizing the significant and pioneering research undertaken by ICAR-CIARI on various spice crops, the Institute was invited to participate in the conference and was also represented on the National Advisory Committee. A lead talk titled “Scientific Interventions in Perennial Spices from the Tropical Bay Islands” was delivered during the scientific sessions, highlighting the Institute’s research achievements and technological interventions for perennial spice crops.

The presentation showcased several improved varieties and germplasm developed by ICAR-CIARI, including woody pepper germplasm INGR25029; Dweep Tej 1, the first Indian bay leaf variety developed in the country; improved varieties of Malabar tamarind, Dweep Agrim and Dweep Vishal; and elite accessions of cinnamon. The crop improvement and pre-breeding approaches developed for cinnamon and tejpat at ICAR-CIARI were also highlighted for the benefit of researchers and stakeholders from across the country.

Various spice-based technologies developed by the Institute were also presented, including spice-based cropping systems; propagation techniques for cinnamon, woody pepper and tejpat; Dweep Goottee 365, a novel approach for round-the-year propagation of perennial spices; and protected cultivation of woody pepper. Universities and institutions engaged in spice nursery production were encouraged to adopt the coir-based substrates identified by ICAR-CIARI to promote sustainable nursery production practices.

A key attraction of the exhibition was Dweep CinnRub, an innovative cinnamon bark rubbing tool developed by ICAR-CIARI. The tool attracted considerable interest from conference delegates and visitors for its potential to reduce drudgery associated with cinnamon harvesting.

The technology was also shared with Dr Sanjay Bhave, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, who appreciated the timely innovation for reducing the drudgery involved in cinnamon harvesting. He also appreciated the initiative of licensing the technology to a young entrepreneur from the islands for commercialization, with the objective of making the tool accessible to end users across the country. The Dweep CinnRub was further demonstrated to cinnamon harvesters at the University’s farm under the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops.

The scientific interactions generated keen interest among conference delegates from different parts of the country and faculty members of the University. The participants expressed that several of the technologies showcased by ICAR-CIARI have the potential to benefit spice growers and other stakeholders in their respective regions.

As a follow-up to the conference, a separate interactive session was organized on 26 August 2026 for more than 150 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students of the University. The session focused on preparation for competitive examinations in agriculture and provided students with an opportunity to gain insights and guidance based on practical experiences.

Dr Jai Sunder, Director (A), ICAR-CIARI, expressed his satisfaction at the growing outreach of the Institute’s technologies and noted that the innovations developed in the island ecosystem are reaching spice stakeholders across different parts of the country.

(Source: ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram)