Steephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod
Kasargod, Sept 2: The ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod, celebrated World Coconut Day 2025 with a grand and globally-attended event, bringing together 299 delegates including international representatives, scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovative farmers. The celebrations were formally inaugurated by Shri Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, Kasaragod.
As part of the celebration, the institute hosted an International Workshop on “Strengthening Coconut Genebanks for a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Future,” a stakeholders’ meet supported by NABARD, and an awareness training session on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights. A sales outlet was also inaugurated on the occasion.
In his inaugural address, MP Rajmohan Unnithan described the coconut palm as a “Kalpa Vriksha” – a tree of life – central to sustaining rural livelihoods. However, he cautioned that coconut farmers face ongoing challenges due to climate change and market volatility. While rising prices offer some respite, he called for greater emphasis on value addition, product diversification, and expanding exports to position coconut products on the global map.
Dr K. Balachandra Hebbar, director of ICAR-CPCRI, in his welcome remarks, highlighted the institute’s leadership in coconut research and international collaboration.
Addressing current challenges such as rugose whitefly and black-headed caterpillar infestations, he stressed the importance of germplasm conservation, fertigation, soil and water management, carbon sequestration, and waste-to-wealth technologies to ensure sectoral resilience and farmer prosperity. He noted that CPCRI’s collection of 464 coconut accessions offers vital resources for future breeding.
Presiding over the inaugural session, Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, deputy director general (horticultural science), ICAR, New Delhi, stressed the need for long-term planning and a common research thrust among coconut scientists nationwide to uplift the sector. He also underlined the importance of collaboration and technology extension.
This year’s celebration coincided with ICAR-CPCRI’s Foundation Day, observed under the theme “Uncovering Coconuts’ Power, Inspiring Global Action.”
The international workshop witnessed participation from 30 foreign delegates representing the International Coconut Community (ICC), with members from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Brazil, France, and the Caribbean islands.
Delivering the keynote, Dr Jelfina C Alouw, director general of the ICC, Jakarta, described coconut as a climate-vulnerable crop facing fierce global competition. She urged ICC members to share technologies, germplasm, and best practices, promoting resilience, value addition, and shared prosperity.
Ambassador Diar Nurbiantoro, director of the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for Science and Technology (NAM-CSSTC), Jakarta, along with Dr J. Dinakara Adiga, director of ICAR-DCR, Puttur, and Dr B A Jerard, Project Coordinator of AICRP on plantation crops, graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.
As part of the programme, the institute honoured seven achievers—four innovative farmers and three entrepreneurs—with CPCRI awards. It also unveiled three new publications, launched a new bio-product for soil health management, and witnessed the exchange of MoUs for technology transfer. Mementoes were presented to the dignitaries.
Dr V Niral extended the welcome, while Dr Ponnuswamy proposed the vote of thanks.
A dedicated stakeholders’ meeting on farmer empowerment was also held, drawing participation from scientists, KVK specialists, entrepreneurs, and progressive farmers. The event further reinforced CPCRI’s growing stature as a global hub for coconut sector research, collaboration, and sustainability.