Pineapple Research Station (PRS)
Pineapple Research Station (PRS)
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. The research centre strives to become 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.
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
de1inked 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 centre is
located close to the pineapple market at Vazhakulam, 10 km east of Muvattupuzha on the
Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha road in Ernakulam District, Kerala. It is about 40 km from Cochin
International Air port, Nedumbassery; 50 km from Aluva railway station and 80 km from the
Cochin harbour.
The mandate of the research centre is to give research and development support to the
pineapple growers, provide quality technology, products and services to the pineapple sector and
undertake basic and applied research in pineapple and other fruit crops of Kerala. 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. Based on continuous surveillance and laboratory studies the
station has identified the presence of PMWA virus in pineapple in Vazhakulam area. Based on
all the findings this station has formulated the Package of Practices Recommendations for the
popular variety Mauritius and included in the POP and all the technology developed are being
transferred to the pineapple growers extensively. Vazhakulam pineapple has been registered in
the Geographical Indication Registry to boost the export of pineapple.
The centre has established good laboratory facilities. The Plant Tissue culture,
biochemistry and pathology labs are equipped with Gel documentation, ELISA Reader and
washer, PCR, Colourimeter, UV- Transilluminator, Bame photometer, Centrifuge, Microscopes,
Electrophoresis, Shakers, ovens, Precision Weighing balances, Deep freezer, BOD, Laminar Air
Bow, still, etc. It has a leased farm of two hectares at NAPCL. The library has adequate
specialised books and periodicals relevant to the sector. It has a sales counter for the public sale
of Tissue Culture Plants, Seedlings, Rooted cuttings, Publications, etc. 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.
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. Performance
evaluation of MD2 pineapple is in progress at the centre. Participatory technology process and
product development in association with sister institutions, Nadukkara Agro Processing Co.Ltd.
til Joy PP. 2013. Pineapple sector in Kerala: 51atus, opportunities. challenges and stakeholders. Pineapple Research Station
Vi" (Kerala Agricullural University), Vazhakulam-686 670, Muvatlupuzha, Ernakulam, Kerala. Email: prsvkm@gmail.com
Pineapple sector in Kera1a: Status, opportunities, challenges and stakeholders 8
and Pineapple Farmers' Association for the stakeholders is a steady and continuing process at the
centre. Technology transfer is effectively carried out through personal discussions, field visits,
phones, emails, website, posts, radio, TVs, news papers, periodicals, publications, pineapple
fests, seminars. traiuings, etc. The centre produces and sells Tissue Culture Plants, Seedlings,
Rooted cuttings and Publications and renders services such as Agriclinic & advisory, Traiuing,
Consultancy, Quality testing and Project work of UG and PG students.
The centre is looking ahead enthusiastically with pioneering research and development
actions in the sector owing to many reasons. The pineapple cultivation in Kerala is dependent on
fresh fruit market, supplying most of its produce outside Kerala. The Mauritius variety grown in
Kerala is marketed in about 10 states in India including Delhi. It is also exported to Gulf
countries in limited quantities. It is possible to increase its marketing by exploring new markets
and techniques and also by increase in quality and quantity of fruit produced. It is essential to
explore the possibility for marine exports to reduce cost. Consumer preference and marketing
strategies need to be taken into consideration. There is immense potential to increase the area
under pineapple in Kerala as it can be grown as intercrop in coconut and rubber plantations.
However, ouly less than two percent of the potential area in Kerala is cultivated with pineapple.
At present pineapple cultivation in Kerala is generating employment of about 60 lakh mandays
among farmers, agricultural workers, people involved in loading, unloading, transporting,
traders, retailers etc. By doubling the area under pineapple cultivation, an additional 50 lakhs
work days per year can be created.
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'. Concerted
research and development efforts coupled with excellent human resource and infrastructure
development will ensure the way to ultimate success and supremacy in the sector. PRS can be
contacted over phone: 0485-2260832, 9446010905 Email: prsvkm@kau.in.prsvkm@gmail.com
and Websites: www.kau.edulprsvkm.prsvkm.tripod.com