ICAR-CPCRI, Research Centre, Kidu, established in 1972, launched the golden jubilee celebrations of the Research Centre on 10th January 2022, with a Farmer-Interface programme, presided by Dr. Anitha Karun, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod. The president of Kukke Sree Subrahmanya Temple, Shri Mohan Ram S Sulli inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. Shri Sulli, in his inaugural address, appreciated the contributions of the ICAR-CPCRI Research Centre which is unique in hosting the International Coconut Gene Bank for South Asia & Middle East, and stressed the need to strengthen it further to meet the requirements and expectations of various stakeholders. Dr. Anitha Karun, in her presidential address, presented in brief the developmental journey of the Kidu Centre over the 50 long years and highlighted the service rendered by the Centre to the farming community of the country. The Director also mentioned that the International Coconut Gene Bank hosted by India, is the best maintained among the five multi-site international coconut genebanks located in different coconut growing regions of the world. She also informed that as part of the golden jubilee celebrations, it is proposed to establish a demonstration plot of released varieties and an exhibition hall showcasing the technologies developed by the Institute and called upon the farmers and participants to come forward and actively participate. Dr. N. Yadukumar, Retd. Principal Scientist, ICAR-DCR, Puttur, who had earlier served at ICAR-CPCRI Research Centre Kidu was the guest of honour and shared his reminiscences about the Centre during his service in the 1980s. During the programme, kitchen garden kit for promoting nutritional security was distributed to 30 beneficiaries under the SCSP programme. Mr. Diwakar Y., Scientist-in-Charge of the Research Centre, welcomed the guests and gathering. Dr. V. Niral, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod and Nodal Officer of the Kidu Research Centre proposed the formal vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and beneficiaries and set the stage ready for farmer scientist interface programme which followed. Dr. Niral also informed the gathering that as part of the golden jubilee celebrations, the centre proposes to have regular interaction with farmers, youth, students and different stakeholders and conduct technology transfer and skill development programme throughout the year, with at least 1-2 activities being conducted every month. The heads of the divisions of ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Dr. Vinayak Hegde, Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Dr. Ravi Bhat, Dr. C. Thamban and senior scientific faculty of the institute Dr. V. Niral, Dr. K. Samsudeen, Dr. P. Subramanian, Dr. Murali Gopal, Dr. Rajkumar, Dr. Elain Apshara, Dr. N.R. Nagaraja, Mr Y. Diwakar and Dr. Shivaji H. Thube, served as resource person's and interacted with the participants on recent advances in coconut, arecanut and cocoa production technologies and also addressed the queries of farmers.