Farmers interested in boosting their cocoa yields and adopting modern, sustainable practices are invited to a special seminar and awareness campaign. Organized by the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Regional Station, Kayamkulam, this important event will take place at the Lions Club Hall in Manimala, Kottayam, on September 23.
The campaign will be officially opened by Nagesh Kumar Anumala, Chief General Manager of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Kerala Regional Office. The primary goals of this initiative are to encourage greater farmer involvement in cocoa cultivation, champion environmentally friendly farming methods, and broaden the membership base of Brown Gold Cocoa Producer Company Limited (BGCPCL), which is proudly supported by NABARD.
A significant highlight of the inaugural session will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BGCPCL and Kaliyar Estate of Harrisons Malayalam Limited. This agreement aims to expand cocoa cultivation across Kaliyar Estate’s 100-acre landholding in Konni, signaling a promising future for local cocoa production.
Attendees will benefit from a dedicated technical session led by Dr. A. Joseph Rajkumar, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CPCRI. He will delve into the critical topic of “Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Cocoa,” offering valuable insights and practical strategies. In the afternoon, Ajesh P. Joseph, Head of Department, School of Social Work, Marian College, Kuttikkanam, will lead a specialized Leadership Development Training Programme designed for the Board of Governors of BGCPCL, further empowering local agricultural leadership.
The event expects to draw around 100 proactive cocoa farmers and key supporters of BGCPCL. For additional information, interested individuals can reach out to Lalichan, CEO of BGCPCL, at 9961623538, or K.J. Varghese, Chairman of BGCPCL, at 9447184735.