Mangaluru: With domestic demand for cocoa far exceeding production, agricultural experts and industry leaders met at the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) regional station in Vittal on Monday, to chart a roadmap for achieving self-reliance in the sector by 2047.
The event also featured the ceremonial planting of Criollo cocoa and tissue-cultured dwarf arecanut plants, marking ICAR-CPCRI’s first 100 plant field trial of its kind. As part of the programme, the dignitaries launched the ‘Kalpa Smart Pole’, designed for the targeted application of agrochemicals and bioagents. An extension folder on climate-resilient pest management was also released.
SR Sathishchandra, president of Campco Ltd, said agricultural research and technology must reach farmers’ fields to have a meaningful impact. S Suryakumari, director of research at Dr YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh , spoke about the status of cocoa cultivation in the state, and the university’s efforts to promote cocoa as a profitable intercrop in palm-based farming systems. Global research project
The study involves 16 national and state-level institutions, including AIIMS, IISc and CFTRI, and is expected to provide findings within the next one to two years.
Hebbar said a global research project had been initiated to examine whether arecanut consumption causes cancer in humans.