Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 31: The National Conference on Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Development of Tree Spices was conducted in the premises of Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli in Maharashtra during August 24-25, 2026. The event aimed at providing a platform for sharing knowledge and ideas among the researchers, academicians, industry representatives, farmers, entrepreneurs and students in the field of spices.
Considering the significant and pioneering research work carried out on various spice crops at ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram was invited to participate in the event. Dr. Ajit Arun Waman, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIARI was invited to join the prestigious National Advisory Committee of the event and deliver a Lead Talk on Scientific Interventions in Perennial Spices from the Tropical Bay Islands.
In his presentation, Dr. Ajit showcased research achievements made in various spice crops to the stakeholders. The improved varieties and germplasm developed at ICAR-CIARI including woody pepper germplasm INGR25029, first variety of Indian Bay leaf in the country- Dweep Tej 1, improved varieties of Malabar tamarind- Dweep Agrim and Dweep Vishal and elite accessions of cinnamon were presented before the gathering. Crop improvement and pre-breeding methods evolved in cinnamon and tejpat at ICAR-CIARI were also highlighted for the benefit of the researchers across the country. Further, various technologies in spices such as cropping systems with spices, propagation techniques in cinnamon, woody pepper and tejpat, Dweep Goottee 365- the novel approach of round the year propagation of perennial spices, protected cultivation of woody pepper etc. were explained in detailed during the talk. He urged the university/ institute involved in nursery raising of spices to adopt coir-based substrates identified by CIARI for ensuring sustainability of the venture.
The most popular invention developed at CIARI- Dweep CinnRub- the cinnamon bark rubbing tool was demonstrated during the exhibition, which was attended by all the conference delegates and attendees. The tool was also shared with the Honourable Vice Chancellor of Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli- Dr. Sanjay Bhave, who appreciated the timely invention made by ICAR-CIARI in reducing the drudgery involved in cinnamon harvesting. He also appreciated the fact that the technology was licensed to the island’s young entrepreneur for its commercialization so that the tool reaches the actual end users across the country. The technology was also demonstrated to cinnamon harvesters of the farm of the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops of the University.
During the scientific interactions, conference delegates from various parts of the country and faculty of the university showed keen interest in these technologies. They opined that these impactful technologies would also benefit stakeholders from their region as well. Followed by the event, Dr. Ajit also shared his experiences and guided more than 150 graduate, postgraduate and doctorate students of the University on preparation for the competitive examinations in agriculture in a separate session held on August 26, 2026. Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (A), ICAR-CIARI expressed his happiness that the island-developed technologies are reaching spice stakeholders spread across the country.