Fundamentals of Extension Education

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI)

• The Coconut Research Station was established in 1916 at Kasargod, Kerala by the Government of Madras and subsequently it was taken over by the Indian Central Coconut Committee in 1948 and continued till 1970. Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) was established in 1970 as one of the agricultural research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), by merging Central Coconut Research Station, Kasargod, Central Coconut Research.
• The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is a renowned research institute under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The CPCRI plays a pioneering role in development of technologies for the mandate crops in agriculture in India through its research. It is also engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.

Mandate:
1. To develop appropriate production, protection and processing technologies for coconut, arecanut and cocoa through basic and applied research.
2. To act as a national repository for the genetic resources of these crops.
3. To produce parental lines and breeders' stock.
4. To develop improved palm based cropping/farming systems through more effective use of natural resources to increase productivity and income from unit area.
5. To collect, collate and disseminate information on the mandate crops to all concerned.
6. To co-ordinate research on the mandate crops within the country and execute the research programmes under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Palms.
7. To transfer technologies developed at CPCRI to the farmers through the co-operation of developmental departments.
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Transfer of technology
CPCRI organises various technology transfer programmes for disseminating the research results to farmers and extension personnel.
Institutional training programmes on different aspects of production technology of palms and cocoa for the benefit of extension personnel are regularly organized at CPCRI. One day training's along with field visits are arranged to farmers so as to educate them on scientific management of coconut, arecanut and cocoa and to convince them about the technology recommendations. Need based training programmes relating to production, protection and processing technologies are also being organized for the benefit of farmers.
• Front line demonstrations are arranged in farmers field on different recommended cultivation technologies to convince the farmers about the technical feasibility and economic viability of the technologies.
• Effective utilization of mass media like Radio, TV, Newspapers and Farm Magazines is made to create awareness among coconut cultivators about various production technologies. Further, extension pamphlets, CD ROMs, Video Cassettes etc. are also prepared for effective dissemination and popularization of the cultivation technologies in palms and cocoa among the farmers and extension personnel.
• Cyber Extension: CPCRI has been implementing various cyber extension activities as part of strengthening the technology transfer programmes of the Institute in mandate crops viz., coconut, arecanut and cocoa. As part of the cyber extension activities, a group video conferencing system through ISDN was installed at the ATIC, CPCRI, Kasargod to facilitate interaction between various stakeholders for enhancing technology utilization in coconut, arecanut and cocoa. The video conferencing facility is effectively utilized for scheduling and implementing interface programmes at regular intervals involving various stake holders including researchers, extension personnel, farmers and entrepreneurs.
• CPCRI web site (www.cpcri.gov.in) and other services provided by CPCRI for the benefit of farmers also form a part of the cyber extension activities of the Institute. Arrangements have been made for answering queries from farmers, extension personnel and entrepreneurs on different aspects of production, protection and processing of palms and cocoa through e-mail.
• CD ROMs as interactive software packages on different technologies of production, protection and processing of palms and cocoa are also being produced and distributed as part of the cyber extension project. Besides the above, an IT enabled kiosk has also been installed at CPCRI Kasaragod under the cyber extension project of the Institute to provide information in English, Hindi and regional languages about various technologies evolved at the Institute in mandate crops and also various services offered to farmers and entrepreneurs.
• Exhibitions, Seminars, Kisan Melas and Group Meetings are also regularly organised as part of the technology transfer activities of the institute.
• Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) is established at CPCRI, Kasaragod to provide the required technology information, diagnostic and advisory services and supply of quality planting material to farmers through a single window delivery system. Farmers can write to CPCRI in advance for seedlings and can procure the same in person on intimation.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s functioning under CPCRI at Kasaragod and Kayangulam cater to the training needs of farmers of Kasaragod and Alappuzha Districts respectively. Farmers are immensely benefited through the vocational training programmes, front line demonstrations and on farm testing in the farmers’ fields and other technology transfer activities organised by the KVKs

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