Scientist In charge: Dr. Arun Kumar Sit

Mohitnagar Research Centre was established in the year 1958 as Regional Arecanut Research Station under Central Arecanut Research Station. Later the centre was merged with the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod in 1970 and designated as one of the important Research Centre for conducting location-specific and need based research on crop improvement, production, protection and extension on plantation crops and spices, in particular, to cater to the needs of the farming community of Sub Himalayan Terai region and other parts of the country.

Location:

The Centre is located at terai region of Easter Himalayan at Mohitnagar of Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. It is 45 km of New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and 65 km away from Bagdogra Airport. Geographically, it is located at 26⁰ 31^// N latitude and 88⁰ 5^// E longitude with an altitude of 91.3 m above MSL.

Climate:

The area is experiencing a typical sub Himalayan Agro-Climate. It receives an average rainfall of 3200 mm annually, 90 % of which is received due to South West Monsoon. The maximum temeperature varies from 18⁰-38⁰ C and the minimum temperature ranges from 6⁰-18⁰ C.

Soil:

The soil is predominated with alluvium of the river Teesta, sandy loam in texture, rich in humus and acidic in nature (pH ranges from 4.5-6.0)

Area:

Presently, the centre is having a total of 65 acres of land with full occupancy with arecanut, coconut, oil palm, cashewnut and buildings.

Mandate:

• Evaluation of exotic and indigenous arecanut germplasm
• Evaluation of coconut varieties for yield and cold tolerance
• Development of plantation based cropping system.
• Standardization of agro-techniques of plantation crops.
• Standardization of propagation techniques for plantation crops and spices.
• Transfer of proven technologies to the farming community.