The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is an establishment having national importance.  It was established in 1970 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.    Research is carried out on various branches of Agricultural Sciences such as gardening, soil chemistry, plant production, microbiology, plant diseases, cattle rearing, pisci culture, etc.With headquarters at Kudlu, five kms. north of Kasaragod, the CPCRI has regional stations at Kayamkulam, Vittal and Kozhikode.  Its research centres are at Peechi, Palode, Hirehally, Appangala, Mohithnagar and Kehikuchi.  There are seed farms at Kidu and Sathigode, one field station at Thrissur and a World Coconut Germplasm Centre at Sipighat.  The objectives of the CPCRI are to serve as national forum for improving  genetic potential of plantation crops, to conduct basic and applied research on various aspects of these crops, to co-ordinate research works being done by other institutions and agencies in the country, to serve as an information centre on all matters pertaining to these crops, to produce genetically superior planting materials and to carry out all India co-ordinated cropping improvement project on coconut, arecanut, spices and cashewnut. 

T x D, Mangala arecanut, new species of cardamom, turmeric and cashew, mixed crop and multi-crop system, etc. are some of the contributions of the CPCRI for the development of agriculture.  The most remarkable venture is tissue culture in coconut.  Research on various diseases of coconut, arecanut, cashew, pepper and field crops has given better yields.

CPCRI is one of the ICAR  institute implementing the NATP project on "Technology Assessment and Refinement Through Institution Village Linkage" which is having emphasis on ensuring farmer's participation in agro-eco system analysis, identification and prioritization of problems and deciding appropriate  technological interventions. Under the project different interventions have been implemented in farmers in different micro farming situations.

Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) is established at CPCRI, Kasaragod to provide the required technology information, diagnostic and advisory services and supply of quality planting material to farmers through a single window delivery system.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendras functioning under CPCRI at Kasaragod and Kayamkulam cater to the training needs of farmers of Kasaragod and Alappuzha Districts respectively.  Farmers are immensely benefited through the vocational training programmes, front line demonstrations and on farm testing in the farmers' fields and other technology transfer activities organised by the Kendras. Quality planting materials of coconut, arecanut and cocoa are produced and distributed to farmers from the various centres of CPCRI.  Farmers can write to CPCRI in advance for seedlings and can procure the same in person on intimation.

The Institute offers project consultancies to individuals on nominal charges on the establishment and maintenance of gardens of coconut, arecanut and cocoa, farming systems, pests and disease management and post harvest technology.

CPCRI library has a collection of 50,000 documents pertaining to palms and cocoa and subscribes  to 225 journals.  All documents of the library are classified, catalogued and indexed and the process of computerization using library software is in progress.  Library at the headquarters and at regional stations provide documentation services to scientists, researchers,  students, farmers and personnel from plantation crops industry.