ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, (CPCRI) celebrated 109^th Foundation Day on 5th January 2025. Dr. K. B. Hebbar, Director, CPCRI, presided over the function.

Foundation Day address was delivered by the Chief Guest, Dr. S. K. Singh, DDG (Hort. Science), ICAR, New Delhi. He highlighted the major share of plantation crops in the value chain. He expressed his hope that the myth of arecanut could be busted with the new project initiated.

Dr. V. S. Korikanthimath, Former Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, gave Dr. K. V. Ahmed Bavappa memorial lecture. He delivered a talk on 'spices and plantation crops for promoting agro-ecotourism sustainability'. He suggested that agro-technology parks can be effective means for spreading technologies. He touched upon the various plantation crops including spices and floriculture.

Dr. R.K. Mathur, Director, ICAR-IIOR, Hyderabad and Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR-NRC Banana, Tiruchirappalli official felicitation. They emphasized that impact assessment and feedback on institute technologies are needed for refinement. They congratulated all the staff for the great achievements of the institute.

The technologies viz., Frozen coconut delicacy and Kalpa Bliz- flavored coconut milk were transferred to Sri Kusumadhar South Canara Coconut Producers Company through exchange of MoAs.

Five publications viz., technical bulletin on ‘Seasonal operations in arecanut plantation (Kannada)’ and ‘Integrated nutrient management in arecanut (Kannada)’, extension folder on ‘Simplicillium Ianosonivem: A potential biocontrol agent for managing invasive whiteflies in coconut plantations’ and ‘Integrated management of white grubs’, and a handbook on ‘Improved coconut varieties’ were released on the occasion.

Institute award for best technical staff were presented to Sri Bhavani Shankar Naik K.M and Sri Dinesh Kumar N., Mr. Pradeep Kumar Vasu was awarded the best administrative staff award and Mr. Sundaran C., received best skilled support staff award.

About 50 retired employees of CPCRI, about 50 farmers and other officials attended the Foundation Day programme.

Dr. V. Niral, Head, Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-CPCRI welcomed the gathering and Dr. K. Ponnusamy, Head, Division of Social Sciences, ICAR-CPCRI, proposed the vote of thanks.