A National Seminar on ‘Climate Smart Agriculture in Plantation Crops’ was organized by ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station, Kayamkulam at Hotel Royale Regency, Oachira from 13.06.2024 to 14.06.2024. The National Seminar was inaugurated by Prof. V.K. Ramachandran, Vice-Chairman of the Kerala State Planning Board on 13 June 2024.In his inaugural address, he emphasized the necessity of sustainable cultivation practices for plantation crops to mitigate climate change.

Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI Kasargod delivered the keynote address highlighting on the challenges, prospects and opportunities in the climate change scenario. Mr. K.S. Pradeep, General Manager of Canara Bank, (Kerala & Lakshadweep) briefed about the schemes implemented by Canara Bank for Farmer Producer Organizations. Dr. B. Hanumanthe Gowda, Chief Coconut Development Officer, Coconut Development Board offered felicitations and highlighted the importance of intensifying research activities to boost plantation crop production. These initiatives aim to combat the adverse effects of climate change, such as crop losses and pest and disease infestations.

The valedictory function of the seminar was held on 14^th June 2024. Prof (Dr.) S.K. Singh, DDG (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, New Delhi as the chief guest. In his address, Dr. S.K. Singh urged researchers to take up climate resilient projects and to come out with technologies which will enhance farm income and also provide economic security to farmers from the plantation sector. Two books were released on the occasion.

A panel discussion on “Climate change in plantation sector: Issues and way forward” and plantation visit was conducted on 15 June 2024. Prof (Dr.) Sudip Mitra, Professor, IIT, Guwahati chaired the panel discussion which was attended by 25 delegates.

Inauguration of the National seminar on Climate Change in Agriculture at ICAR-CPCRI, Regional Station, Kayamkulam

Prof. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Hort. Sci.) releasing a book ‘Kalpa Granth’

Prof. S.K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Hort. Sci.)releasing a book on ‘Soil Health Management for Plantation Crops’

The seminar featured lead talks by eminent scientists viz., Dr. Manoj P. Samuel, Executive Director, CWRDM, Kozhikode; Dr. P. Jeyakumar, Director (Planning), TNAU, Coimbatore; Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI, Dr. Sudeep Mitra, Professor, School of Agro & Rural Technology, IIT Guwahati. Dr. V. Rasheed Sulaiman, Director,Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy in India, Hyderabad. There was a scintillating special lecture (online)on the topic ‘Soil Carbon, the vital entity for mitigating climate change’ by Dr. Sindhu Jagadamma, Associate Professor,University of Tennessee, USA on 13^th June 2024. Dr. M. K. Rajesh, Head, ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station, Vittal delivered the plenary lecture on ‘Utilizing conventional and omics technologies to enhance the resilience of coconut varieties to climate change effects.

Dr. Regi J. Thomas, Head, ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station, Kayamkulam & General Convenor of National Seminar welcomed the gathering.Dr. Jeena Mathew, Senior Scientist & Convenor of the seminar proposed vote of thanks.A total of 90 oral/poster papers were presented during the seminar under five thematic sessions, witnessed byover 100 experts from across the country participated in the seminar.