World Coconut Day 2026 was celebrated on September 2, 2026, at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Keralam, with the theme “Coconuts in times of uncertainty: Securing food, energy, and livelihoods.” The event featured the launch of the entrepreneurial development programme—SHITIJ 2.0 and a Stakeholders' Meet.

The programme was presided over by Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director of ICAR-CPCRI. The Chief Guests were Dr. J. Dinakara Adiga, Director of ICAR-DCR, Prof. Dr. B. Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Former VC, Nitte University, Mangaluru, and Dr. S. Senthil Vinayagam, Director of the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru.

Dr. Hebbar, in his presidential address, emphasized empowering the plantation sector by highlighting CPCRI’s varieties and technologies. He spoke about the challenges posed by climate change, including secondary problems such as pests and diseases. The demand for planting materials is being met through licensing varieties to nursery entrepreneurs, and challenges are addressed through collaboration with ICAR institutions and others. He also dwelt upon the achievements in variety improvement, technology development, programs initiated, and discussed the effects of El Niño.

Dr. K. Ponnusamy, Head of Social Science at ICAR-CPCRI, introduced SHITIJ 2.0. Around 400 participants registered for SHITIJ 2.0, which connects the ICAR-CPCRI hub with six associated institutes under the vegetable and fruit value chain. The meeting focused on discussing the roadmap for implementing SHITIJ 2.0 and strengthening the agricultural start-up ecosystem in seven thematic areas.

The online pre-incubation programme SHITIJ 2.0 was launched by Prof. Dr. B. Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Former VC and Vice-President (ISR & CRL), NITTE (DU). He praised the Kalpa Vruksha initiative and CPCRI’s new technologies, calling SHITIJ 2.0 a launch pad for transforming ideas into innovations, products, and enterprises. He noted the surprising potential to earn approximately ₹10,000 from a single palm using value-added technologies and emphasized collaboration as the key to success.

Felicitation was offered by Dr. K.V. Prasad (Director, ICAR-NRC for Grapes), Dr. Anup Das (Director, ICAR-RCER), who joined online and Dr. B.A. Jerard (Project Coordinator, AICRP on Plantation Crops).

Two best farmers from each state were honored:
• Tamil Nadu: Mr. J. Kennady (Arasampatti), Mr. S. Muhammed Ismail (Tenkasi)
• Karnataka: Mr. Rudresh H.A. (Chithradurga), Mr. P. N. Nataraju (Tumkur)
• Kerala: Mr. Hari Varadharaj G. (Palakkad), Mrs. Kadeeja Kadher P.
• Andhra Pradesh: Yeragundi Laksmaiah and Baburaj
• The best two successful entrepreneurs honored were Smt. Sreelatha T. K. from Kasaragod and Mr. Abdul Gafoor from Malappuram.

Technology commercialization was highlighted through the exchange of MoUs between CPCRI and industry partners, including:
• Virgin Coconut Oil with Mr. S. Chidambaram, M/S Alvai Food Ventures (Tamil Nadu)
• Coconut Chips Technology with Dr. P. Patchimal, ICAR KVK, CENDECT, Kamatchipuram (Tamil Nadu)
• Flavoured Coconut Milk with Mr. Santhosh V Shetty (Brahmavara, Karnataka)
• Foam Mat Dried Coconut Milk with Mr. Sathyanarayana Udupa, Chairman & MD, Udupi Kalparasa Coconut and All Spices Producers Company Ltd. (Karnataka)
• Coconut Chips with Mr. K Anantha Padmanabha Udupa (Byndoor Taluk, Karnataka)
• Coconut Varieties Kera Keralam & Kalpa Pratibha with Mr. Mori Hiteshkumar Hanabhai, M/s Kalpkrushi Hybrid Centre (Junagadh, Gujarat)

The Kalpa Composite Flour (CMR-based products) was launched, along with the release of publications including a book on Good Horticultural Practices for Cocoa, ISPC Newsletter, a leaflet on Balanced Nutrient Management, and an extension folder on EPN for Management of White Grubs in Arecanut (Kannada).

CPCRI licensee Mr. Radhakrishna of Abhijnana Food Products Ltd, Karnataka (NITYA), launched a new brand. Distribution of coconut climbing devices to SCSP/TSP beneficiaries was carried out by the Director, CPCRI, with recipients including Ms. Vaishali K. V. (SCSP), Mr. Vivek P. (SCSP), and Ms. Athira (TSP).

Dr. J. Dinakara Adiga congratulated ICAR-CPCRI on celebrating Coconut Day at an institute with a 110-year research history in coconut.

The welcome address was delivered by Dr. V. Niral, Head of Crop Improvement, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. K. Ponnusamy, Head of Social Science.

The Stakeholders' Meet was inaugurated by Dr. S. Senthil Vinayagam, Director of Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, focusing on the management of extreme climate vulnerabilities in plantation crops. The sessions extended through September 3, 2026.