Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha (Vazhakulam)

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  joyppkau

  The Pineapple Research Station at Vazhakulam was established on 2nd January 1995 to give research and development support to pineapple farmers. Since then, this research centre of the Kerala Agricultural University has been steadily growing and serving as a subvention to the pineapple growers of the state and the country as well. Our Mission To be the ultimate authority and provider of excellent quality technology, products and services in the pineapple sector through concerted research and development efforts sustained by best human resource and infrastructure development. Our Profile The centre had a humble beginning on 2.1.1995 as “Pineapple Research Station & Pest and disease Surveillance Unit” under Kerala Horticulture Development Programme (KHDP). For the construction of the office-cum-laboratory building of the station, 15 cents of land was transferred from the Revenue Department to Kerala Agricultural University on 24.6.1996. It was delinked from KHDP and became a constituent research centre of Kerala Agricultural University under central zone on 1.7.1997. The present building was occupied on 27.6.1998. Location The centre is located close to the pineapple market at Vazhakulam, 10 km east of Muvattupuzha on the Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha road in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. It is about 35 km from Cochin International Air port, Nedumbassery; 40 km from Aluva railway station and 60 km from the Cochin harbour. Mandate Ø Give research and development support to the pineapple growers Ø Provide quality technology, products and services to the pineapple sector Ø Undertake basic and applied research in pineapple and other fruit crops of Kerala Facilities Laboratory: Plant Tissue culture, biochemistry and pathology labs equipped with Gel documentation, ELISA Reader & washer, PCR, UV vis spectrophotometer, UV- Transilluminator, Flame photometer, Centrifuge, Microscopes, Electrophoresis, Shakers, ovens, Precision Weighing balances, Deep freezer, BOD, Laminar Air Flow, still, etc Farm : Two hectares Library : Specialised books and periodicals relevant to the sector Sales Centre : For the public sale of Tissue Culture Plants, Seedlings, Rooted cuttings, Publications, etc Research The centre undertakes basic and applied research and development activities in pineapple and other fruit crops of Kerala. The research and development projects are mainly in Participatory technology development (PTD) mode and funded by various agencies as KAU, State and central governments, ICAR, SHM, NHM, etc. Participatory technology development The centre has developed scientific technology for the commercial cultivation of Kew and Mauritius varieties of pineapple, including pure cropping, intercropping in rubber and coconut plantations and in reclaimed paddy lands. Technology is developed for organic production. Tissue culture protocols for various varieties of pineapple are available. GI indication of Vazhakulam Pineapple is registered. Participatory technology process and product development in association with sister institutions, Nadukkara Agro Processing Co.Ltd. and Pineapple Farmers' Association for the stake holders is a steady and continuing process at the centre. Extension Technology transfer is effectively carried out through personal discussions, field visits, phones, emails, posts, radio, TVs, news papers, periodicals, publications, pineapple fests, seminars. trainings, etc. Products Ø Tissue Culture Plants Ø Seedlings Ø Rooted cuttings Ø Publications Services Ø Agriclinic & advisory Ø Training Ø Consultancy Ø Quality testing Ø Project work of P.G. students of other Universities Ø Large scale Tissue Culture production Contact Information Telephone : +91 485 2260832 FAX : +91 485 2260832 Postal address : Associate Professor & Head, Pineapple Research Station (PRS) (Kerala Agricultural University), Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District, Kerala, PIN-686 670 Electronic mail: prsvkm@gmail.com Website : http://www.kau.edu/prsvkm http://prsvkm.tripod.com

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