PINEAPPLE RESEARCH STATION (KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY), VAZHAKULAM, MUVATTUPUZHA Please visit our new official updated website at http://prsvkm.kau.in Fight against social evils
|
|
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 institute 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 MissionTo be the ultimate authority and provider of excellent quality technology, products and services in the pineapple and other tropical fruits sector through concerted research and development efforts sustained by best human resource and infrastructure development. Our Motto: ‘Quality People, Infrastructure & Work Culture for Quality Technology, Products & Services’
Our ProfileThe research institute 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. The research 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 40 km from Cochin International Air port, Nedumbassery; 50 km from Aluva railway station and 80 km from the Cochin harbour. Mandate
The research 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, KSCSTE, etc. The station has taken up research in pineapple on various aspects like intercropping in rubber and coconut, plant spacing and density, organic and chemical fertilizer requirement etc. besides experiments on development of new varieties. 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 also developed for organic production. Based on continuous surveillance and laboratory studies the station has identified the presence of pineapple mealy bug wilt associated (PMWA) virus in Vazhakulam area. Based on all the findings, this station has formulated the Package of Practices Recommendations for the popular varieties Mauritius and Kew and included in the KAU POP and all the technology developed are being transferred to the pineapple growers extensively. Tissue culture protocols for various varieties of pineapple, passion fruit and banana are available. Vazhakulam pineapple has been registered in the Geographical Indication Registry to boost the export of pineapple. The station is pursuing its User Registration. 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. The station has already produced and sold more than 100000 Tissue Culture pineapple plants and 30000 passion fruit seedlings. Large scale tissue culture production of banana has been started. Pineapple Research Station launched its own website (www.kau.edu/prsvkm) as a subsite under the Kerala Agricultural University main site in June 2010. The website of the station is regularly updated with more relevant and useful information for the public facilitating free download of the publications of the centre. The centre has adequate facilities to undertake research and development projects, student project works and conduct trainings for fresh graduates and unemployed youths for gaining hands-on experience and scientific leadership work culture founded on professional competence, punctuality, integrity and accountability for developing high performing teams and building up a good career. Meritorious students from other universities can do their project work in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Technology, Information Technology, etc. at this centre on payment basis subject to the terms and conditions (in Word / PDF) issued by Kerala Agricultural University from time to time. They will get excellent opportunities to become well-versed with scientific research methodologies and protocols in the field. They will be encouraged to work in the well equipped laboratories of the station for gaining first hand research experience and fulfil career dreams. Laboratory: Plant biotechnology, phytochemistry and microbiology 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 incubator, Laminar Air Flow, still, etc
Farm : 1.2 hectares Library : Specialised books and periodicals relevant to the sector
The research institute undertakes basic and applied research and development activities in pineapple, passion fruit, banana 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. The station undertakes large scale production of Tissue Culture Plants of different varieties of Pineapple, Passion fruit and Banana and Seedlings and Rooted cuttings of Passion fruit. They are available for sale at the centre. Booking for the planting materials can be made with advance payment as Demand Draft in favour of Associate Professor & Head, PRS, Vazhakulam payable at State Bank of India, Vazhakulam-686670, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam, Kerala (Code No: 7844). Priority is always given to firm orders with advance payment and delivery will be on first-come-first-serve basis. Extension Technology transfer is effectively carried out through personal discussions, field visits, phones, emails, website, posts, radio, TVs, news papers, periodicals, publications, pineapple fests, seminars. trainings, etc. Publications such as leaflets, palmlets, books, CDs, DVDs, etc covering various aspects of cultivation and utilization of the mandatory crops of the station are also being undertaken.
With the objective of developing and promoting local self help groups (SHGs), short term trainings on Tissue culture, pineapple cultivation, preservation, processing, value addition, etc are offered to unemployed youths. Fee based training programs on payment basis subject to the terms and conditions (in Word / PDF) issued by Kerala Agricultural University from time to time are available for UG and PG candidates in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Food Technology, Information Technology, etc. for gaining hands-on experience and building up a good career. They can work in the well equipped laboratories of the station along with the R & D Team of the centre for gaining first hand experience. They can acquaint with the operation of various equipment like Gel documentation, ELISA Reader & washer, PCR, Colourimeter, UV-Transilluminator, Flame photometer, Centrifuge, Microscopes, Electrophoresis, Shakers, ovens, Precision Weighing balances, Deep freezer, BOD, Laminar Air Flow, still, etc. They will get excellent opportunities to become well-versed with scientific research methodologies and protocols in their field. They will be provided ample opportunities at the station to develop their expertise, skills and efficiency and build high performing teams for executing ambitious tasks. Dr. P. P. Joy, Associate Professor & Head, +919446010905, joyppkau@gmail.com vCard
Sri. Justin T. Jose, Senior Grade Assistant, +919744469876 Earnest efforts are also being taken to acquire free government land nearby as a permanent farm for raising various fruit plants, conserving germplasm and conducting field research, besides establishing adequate infrastructure for further development and diversification, renaming the station as Tropical Fruit Crops Research Station (TFCRS). It is also proposed to establish a fruit processing laboratory with FPO registration at the centre for the efficient conversion of leftover fruits to value added products like squash, jam, syrup, etc.
Besides pineapple, since Vazhakulam and neighbouring areas are well-known for other fruit crops like banana, mango, jack, papaya, passion fruit, rambutan, mangosteen, etc, and there is no research station in the district catering to the needs of these farmers, Pineapple Research Station, Vazhakulam visualizes to be Tropical Fruit Crops Research Station (TFCRS) in the near future. This advanced research centre of excellence dreams to be the ultimate authority and provider of excellent quality technology, products and services in tropical fruit crops through concerted research and development efforts sustained by best human resource and infrastructure development in line with Our Motto ‘Quality People & Infrastructure for Quality Technology, Products & Services and Merit alone counts for Quality suitable for the purpose’. The Tropical Fruit Crops Research Station (TFCRS) comprises the following Technology division ● Crop Improvement (Agricultural Botany, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology) ● Crop Production (Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Chemistry and Agricultural Economics) ● Crop Protection (Agricultural Entomology, Plant Pathology, Microbiology and Nematology) ● Crop Processing and Product Development (Food Processing and Home Science) ● Quality Assurance (Quality Control) ● Transfer of Technology, Other Services (Agricultural Extension, ICT) You are welcome ... You are welcome to this research centre of Kerala Agricultural University any time preferably with intimation. But please visit our websites http://www.kau.edu/prsvkm and http://prsvkm.tripod.com to know more about Pineapple Research Station and call us before you come. Whenever, you pass-by Vazhakulam/Muvattupuzha please drop in to our station for a friendly discussion. Your constructive comments, suggestions and criticisms are gratefully appreciated and acknowledged as they help us advance in the right direction. Let's together strive for a better morrow. Annual Reports: 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 Brochures: PRS Eng, Mal; Pineapple Eng, Mal, Recipes Mal; Passion fruit Mal, Recipes Mal
Pineapple:
Passion Fruit:
PRS
Success is ours if we have the will to succeed and determination to fight against evil (for more details click these links)
Contact Information
Websites : http://prsvkm.kau.in (updated regularly) Pineapple Research Station in Wikipedia (English) Pineapple Research Station in Wikipedia (Malayalam) Pineapple sucker Suppliers, Growers, Traders, Processors, Facilitators, etc
Passion Fruit Planting material Suppliers, Growers, Traders, Processors, Facilitators, etc |
PRS
Copyright © 2010 Pineapple Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University. Best viewed in IE 5.5 or above, 1024x768 screen, scripts enabled. Last modified: 30 Mar 2015. Webmaster: Dr. P. P. Joy, Associate Professor & Head, Pineapple Research Station (Kerala Agricultural University), Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam District, Kerala, India, PIN-686 670, Tel. & Fax: +91 485 2260832, Cell: +919446010905, E-mail: prsvkm@kau.in. Constructive comments, suggestions and criticisms are most welcome and please mail to prsvkm@gmail.com. Success is ours if we have the will to succeed and determination to fight against evil (for more details click these links) |