Our R&D laboratory is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi, as a centre for crop research.

The R&D laboratory is well equipped with sophisticated equipments to undertake basic research work in areas of crop nutrition, quality testing, tissue culture research and crop-improvement through breeding, bio-control research and other related works.

1. Specific areas where R & D is being carried out
Soil nutrient index. Verietal trial of coffee, pepper and cardamom. Bio-control research. Pests and disease control research. Coffee effluent treatment. Compost — vermicompost experiment. Quality analysis of coffee and pepper. Analysis of agro-inputs for quality standards. Water management research — drip irrigation for coffee Water management research — drip irrigation for coffee Crop diversification — Vanilla. Pepper value addition
2. Benefits derived
l. Crop nutrition research Soil fertility status is monitored through soil and leaf analysis, and the results are calibrated to formulate optimum fertiliser recommendation and soil amendment application. Our fertiliser programme is rationalised based on soil nutrients status, which is optimum and adequate, to enhance crop production and productivity. Micro-nutrient research :- Monitoring the availability of micro-nutrients such as ' Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese' and secondary nutrients such as  'Sulphur, Calcium & Magnesium' to improve coffee, pepper and cardamom productivity. II. Coffee varietal trial experiments:   Identified location specific high yielding and disease tolerant selection for planting in our estates III. Organic manure:   Large scale manufacturing of compost with improved technology to enhance the soil fertility status. Introduction of trichoderma fungus to hasten the process of composting and as a control for soil borne disease. Addition of coffee effluent to hasten the process of composting and to increase the nutritive value. IV. Bio-control research Pepper wilt disease control: R and D pioneered the large scale culturing of good quality trichoderma fungus for use in the biological control of pepper wilt disease and root disease of coffee Coffee berry bored control: Large-scale installation of berry borer traps with the use of organic solvents as part of integrated pest and disease management In-house formulated high quality neem oil for integrated pest and disease management     V. Organic farming system of coffee and pepper: Conversion and pepper cultivation is in compliance with organic farming systems     VI. Pepper value addition: Developed improved methodology for dehydrated green pepper Conversion of low grade pepper into oleoresin and oil     VII. Training programmes and advisory circulars to estates to update current / new trends in cultivation practices.]:
3. Plan of action in-house:
	I. Improved crop varieties:   Field Assessment of high yielding and disease tolerant selection of coffee, pepper and cardamom. II. Field evaluation of breeding plants of coffee:   Field evaluation of breeding plants of coffee for its performance in the field regarding its yield potential and disease resistance   III. Crop diversification:   To study the opportunities of various crop diversification in the marginal coffee/paddy soil areas. IV. Coffee effluent treatment research:   Experiments are under way to determine economical pollution control of coffee effluent.     V. Drip irrigation:   To develop an economically viable technique of irrigation for coffee and improve the efficiency of nutrient delivery through fertigation     VI. Mechanical trough drier:   To preserve the quality of coffee during drying and to reduce the drying time in barbecue
4. General
	I. Collaboration with Research Institute:
	Central Coffee Research Institute, Balehonnur.
	Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut

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