Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy

INTRODUCTION: The Agricultural Research Station Mannuthy,  was started in the year 1957 as the Rice Research Station , Mannuthy in the then Central Farm, Ollukkara, with administrative control vested with Rice Specialist. Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established in the year  1972 and the Station was taken over  from the State Department of Agriculture and brought under the control  of Kerala Agricultural University. Consequently, Rice Research Station and Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy were merged in the year 1976. The station was renamed as Agricultural Research Station,  Mannuthy in 1983 and since then it is functioning as an independent station.

The station is a centre for multifarious activities of research, extension and academic programmes. Apart from KAU research projects, the station executes projects funded by external funding agencies. The station also participates in the academic programme of KAU by way of providing land and labour facilities as well as guidance for post graduate thesis work . The station is a main centre for the production and distribution of quality planting materials of fruit plants, plantation crops, ornamentals, vegetables and breeder and foundation seeds of paddy varieties especially of those suited to kole lands. The station imparts days long training on Rice production, Vegetable production, Nursery Management, Hi-tech Agriculture and Agricultural Mechanization.

The station was having a total area of 37.44 ha, of which 9.44 ha was transferred to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University. Among     28 ha available with the station, 2.84 ha is under wet land and the remaining area under dry/garden land.  About 3.67 ha is under buildings, roads, ponds etc. Rest of the area is garden land, 25.16 ha cultivated with Coconut, Nutmeg, Banana, Vegetables, Tubers and Spice crops. Four hector area is conserved as model organic farm, practicing only organic treatments for the last 30 years and is cultivated with Coconut, Banana, Vegetables and Spice crops. The hilly area is cultivated adopting appropriate technologies for soil and water conservation.

MANDATE: The main aim of the station is to conduct research on annual crops like rice, vegetables, banana, pulses and perennials such as jack, mango, nutmeg and coconut. The station acts as a verification centre for research on rice in Central Region. It serves as a demonstration centre for improved agricultural practices. Large scale production and distribution of quality seeds and planting materials is a major activity of this station. This station also provides field and labour facilities for post graduate research programmes of College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. The Station acts as a model centre for various Agricultural Mechanization Extension activities. The station is elevated to 2 centres of Excellence - Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Mechanization Extension Services, Research & Development; Centre of Excellence in High Tech Horticulture and Protected cultivation.