Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in 1970 by merging the Central Coconut Research Stations at
Kasargod and
Kayamkulam and the Central Arecanut Research Station at
Vittal along with its five sub-stations situated at
Palode (
Kerala), Peechi (Kerala), Hirehalli (
Karnataka), Mohitnagar (
West Bengal) and Kahikuchi (
Assam).
Some of their objectives are to develop appropriate production, protection and processing technologies for coconut, arecanut and cocoa through basic and applied research; to develop improved palm based cropping/farming systems through more effective use of natural resources to increase productivity and income from unit area; and to transfer technologies developed at CPCRI to the farmers through the co-operation of developmental departments.