Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Hort. Science) ICAR, New Delhi, inaugurated the Kalpa Vajra Valediction cum Futurium programme of the ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam, Kerala, on 13th May, 2023. He graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his inaugural address, he complimented the innovative technological solutions offered by the Institute and stressed the need to get prepared for the use of artificial intelligence and sensor-based technologies for income maximisation.

Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the research accomplishments of the Regional Station.

Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG, released ‘Kalpa Vajra’ coconut variety for root (wilt) disease tracts, a modified ‘ground pollination tool kit’," a MoU exchange of nutrient formulations, viz., ‘Kalpa Poshak and Kalpa Vardhini’ to FPO and KVK, and the bunch of millet products by Odanadu Farmer Producers’ Company Limited.

Dr. A.K. Singh also inaugurated Agri-tech Exhibitions with more than 25 stalls from ICAR institutes, KAU, FPO and women's groups. He also commissioned new infrastructure, viz., a coconut pollen processing laboratory, a laboratory for plant measurements, and a 125 KV diesel generator set. He announced the Kalpa Vajra Award for the best coconut farmer in the root (wilt) disease tract of the country. Five publications, viz., Kalpa Dyuthi, ICAR-CPCRI Year Planner, Kalpa Vajra Events in a Nutshell, a Technical Bulletin ‘Cocoa – Coconut Management Handbook’ (Malayalam) and a Training Manual ‘Cocoa Note Book’ (Malayalam), were published on the occasion. Earlier, the planting of coconut seedlings in Kalpa Vajra block with 75 seedlings of released coconut varieties and palmyrah seedlings as a new experiment on germplasm was led by Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG.

Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr. K. Suresh, ICAR-IIOPR, Pedavegi, Dr. Mini, Head ORARS, KAU, Kayamkulam; and Dr. Hanumanthe Gowda, Chief Coconut Development Officer, Coconut Development Board, Kochi, have participated in the programme.

In the afternoon, a farmers’ seminar cum interface programme was held. Shri D. Kuppuramu, Chairman, Coir Board, Kochi, inaugurated the programme. Farmers queries were addressed by the experts. More than 500 farmers participated in the programme.