• Produce quality planting materials of agri-horti species required for the people of Kerala and provided to them with reasonable charge. • Provide training on tissue culture and other horticultural practices. • Take initiatives for water-body protection/restoration program using screw-pine plants. • Propagation of different screw pine species/varieties required for the restoration program as well as meeting raw material for screw- pine craft of Kerala • Extend TC facility in the center on rental basis to entrepreneurs, and institutions to propagate plants of their own choice. KSCSTE-JNTBGRI, Sub-Center, Kuzhur Main objectives Establishment of a plant tissue culture laboratory and propagation of Mat weaving using pandanus leaves natural fibre yielding plants with special emphasis on different varieties of screw pine plants and other economically important agri- horti crops for the development of Green industry at Kodungallur Vision Ensuring sufficient raw materials for srew-pine based cottage industry and quality planting materials of agri-horti species for the development of green industry in Kerala. A promising thornless screwpine variety for screw-pine craft, under micropropagation in the center and Mat weaved using their leaves Inception The setting up of the present R&D Sub Centre at Kuzhur has a sequential growth starting from 2010 with the involvement of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC). As part of the Constituency Development program of the Government of Kerala in 2010, KSIDC conducted a survey in Kodungallur constituency and gave its report ascertaining that the cause of declining screw pine cottage industry was primarily due to dearth of raw Laboratory complex of Class10,000 materials. Further scrutiny recognized the importance of scientific input to address the issues of screw pine availability and JNTBGRI was entrusted to Mission develop the tissue culture technology for mass production of screw pine plants • Establishment of a Plant Tissue culture Laboratory of which eventually led to the establishment of the present R&D center. Dr. K. International standard for the mass multiplication of different Satheeshkumar, former Head, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division, varieties of screw pine plants and other economically important JNTBGRI was assigned the task of developing the technology and setting up of agri-horti crops. the center. Construction of the first phase of the building with an area of 10,000 sq. ft. was completed and inauguration of the laboratory was carried out on 12th January 2019 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala. Achievements • A tissue culture laboratory of class 10,000 was established and Strength equipped with basic facilities for micropropagation. Infrastructure • Micropropagation protocol for mass production of Pandanus Presently the institute is equipped with a fully fledged 10000 sq. feet facicularis was standardized and the protocol was evaluated in tissue culture laboratory. The laboratory consists of Media preparation, other species. Inoculation, Incubation (with class 10,000 specification) and • Over 50,000 plantlets of different species were produced. sterilization rooms. The facility has a total production capacity of • Culture system for propagation of commercial varieties of 5,00,000 plants per annum. banana was established. Staff Head of Office is The Director KSCSTE-JNTBGRI and the Head, Biotechnology Division is in-charge of the Center. In addition 16 contract staff including 1-Research Associate, 2-Project Fellows, 3- Project Assistants, 1-Laboratory assistant, 1-Lab attendant, 1-Office attendant, 1-Electrical supervisor, 2-Gardeners, 1-part time sweeper and 3 security personnel are employed here to undertake various activities. Ongoing activities • In vitro production of Pandanus plants Honoroble Chief Minister of • In vitro production of selected varieties of Banana Kerala Sri. Pinarai Vijayan • Protocol development for commercially important plants Inaugurating the Center on • Production of Medicinal and Ornamental plants 12-01-2019 • Hands on training in Plant Tissue Culture • Training programs towards women empowerment TC incubation facility KSCSTE-Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute Sub-Center, Kuzhur, Kakkulisserry, Thrissur-680734 Ph. 91 480 2980324 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Web: jntbgri.res.in/kuzhursub Culture initiated in Pandanus fascicularis Inoculation and sterilization facility Scientist-in-charge: Dr. S. William Decruse Email: [email protected]; ph.9497010229 .