CPCRI to host intl meet on coconut biodiversity for prosperity

Speaking to media persons, CPCRI Director George V Thomas said the endeavour of the conference is to bring together all leading coconut researchers around the world on biodiversity, encompassing a wide array of subjects like genetic resources conservation, molecular biology, breeding, crop management, climate change, advances in physiology & biochemistry, pest and diseases, pre and post harvest processing, product diversification, value addition, technology transfer and global market research.

The conference is envisaged as a knowledge-platform enabling equitable knowledge sharing and dissemination among the stakeholders. The deliberations would help in formulating the research programmes and priorities for coconut in the emerging the global scenario.

There will be 11 technical sessions to cover various aspects on coconut. In addition, four workshops on Coconut and health; Somatic embryogenisis and micropropagation; Organic farming; and Coconut wilt disease will be held as a part of the conference, he informed.

In the proposed conference, over 300 distinguished delegates from India and overseas, including researchers, policy makers, farmers, developmental personnel and NGOs are expected to participate. Scientists from the Horticulture research Institutes under the ICAR, researchers from State Agricultural Universities from India, researchers in coconut from various organisations from the countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Australia, England, France, Nigeria, Switzerland and USA are expected to participate.

The conference will be inaugurated by Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof K V Thomas on October 25 at 5 pm at CPCRI, Kasaragod while Kerala Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Rathnakaran will preside.

‘Agri fair’

An ‘Agri Fair 2010’ also will be organised during these days to demonstrate various technologies and products and is open for the public without entry fees. Exhibition stalls from various government, non-government and farmer self-help groups will be arranged in the fair. This fair is open for the public from October 26 to 28 between 10 am and 7 pm. School children are allowed from 10 am to 2 pm only. Exhibition and sales products will be arranged in these stalls.

More details regarding the international conference are available on the CPCRI website www.cpcri.gov.in, Prof Thomas addes.