Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Food Processing Industries, unveiled a new dwarf coconut variety called ‘Kalpa Suvarna’ and two hybrid cocoa varieties developed by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI).
- The new cocoa varieties, VTL CH I and VTL CH II, are high-yielding and one of them is tolerant to black pod rot, particularly beneficial in regions with high rainfall.
- ‘Kalpa Suvarna’ is recommended for tender coconut and copra production.
- Both cocoa varieties have high fat and nutrient contents, suitable for cultivation in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat
| Feature | Description |
| Cocoa Varieties (VTL CH I and VTL CH II) | High-yielding varieties; one tolerant to black pod rot, especially advantageous in high rainfall regions.
Both varieties have high fat and nutrient contents, suitable for cultivation in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. |
| ‘Kalpa Suvarna’ Coconut Variety | Recommended for tender coconut and copra production. |
The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is a research institute in India that focuses on plantation crops. It was established in 1970 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) by combining the Central Coconut Research Stations at Kasaragod and Kayamkulam, and the Central Arecanut Research Station at Vittal, along with its five substations.
