Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi

The Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi is known for the research and contributions on rice. The station has a long history. Established as a Paddy Breeding station by the British in 1927, it has made tremendous contribution to the betterment of rice production sector in the state. The station was named as Agricultural Research Station in 1930 and became a part of Kerala state in 1956. It became the Central Rice Research Station in 1962. The first high yielding hybrid derivative variety of rice of South East Asia “Annapoorna (Ptb-35)” was released for cultivation from the station in 1966. Kerala Agricultural University took over the Station with its formation in 1972. In 1981, under the National Agricultural Research Programme (NARP), the station was upgraded as Regional Agricultural Research Station for Central Zone comprising of Ernakulum, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts. The lead function of the station is to conduct research on rice, pulses, horticultural crops and rice based farming systems.

The station has well laid out fields and support infrastructure for field experimentation, and laboratory studies.Research and Development activities through more than eight decades by dedicated scientists with support from field staff and skilled labourers have given rise to an array of technologies which complemented the green revolution. The research contributions are continued with useful outputs for the crop production sector in general and rice production sector in particular. The station has so far released 60 rice varieties (Ptb- 1 to Ptb-60), two varieties each in cowpea and vegetables.It has also developed production package ofor rice and other crops for realising higher productivity through optimum resource use. Knowledge dissemination through training programmes, field days, exhibitions, melas etc had been an integral part of the R&D programmes.

Kerala Agricultural University had been offering a Diploma programme in Agriculture till 1986.The course was discontinued then due to administrative reasons. Realising the potential for an academic programme which will lead to a Diploma in Agriculture, the university decided to re instate the course.  Demand for trained hands from public and provate sector involved in agriculture and related activities, potential for entrepreneurship development and employability in various sectors outside the country also supported the decision. A large number of students are from the state are depending on facilities available outside the state to join similar programmes. An Institute of Agricultural Technology was established at RARS, Pattambi considering academic environment, intellectual and physical infrastructure. The Institute offers a two year Diploma in Agricultural Science (DASc).