National Cinnamon Research Station and Training Center

Contact details

National Cinnamon Research and Training Center, Palolpitiya, Thihagoda 81280, Sri Lanka.
Tel: +94 41 2245407, +94 41 5673931
Fax: +94 41 2245407
Email: ncrtcmatara@gmail.com

Overview

National Cinnamon Research and Training Center (NCR&TC) (under Department of Export Agriculture) is the only Research Station on Cinnamon in Sri Lanka and Statutory Responsibilities for Research and Development on all aspects of Cinnamon Cultivation and Processing for the Benefit of the Cinnamon Industry.

OUR VISION: “Excellence in Providing High Quality Scientific Technologies to Cinnamon Industry.”

OUR MISSION : “Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research, Development & training programmes with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality of Cinnamon for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of Cinnamon sector while ensuring the safeguards to environment

Divisions of the Institute
Agronomy and Crop Improvement
Soil and Plant Nutrition
Plant Protection
Post-harvest Technology
On-going Research fields under the divisions

Agronomy and Crop Improvement Division

Agronomy and crop improvement division is focused on introducing good agronomic practices and developing superior quality cultivars and planting material fulfilling the consumer preference and demand in the local and international markets.
To improve productivity in Cinnamon plantations, we work on advancement of nursery management practices and producing good quality planting material by seeds and vegetative propagation.
We also work on
Enhancement of good agronomic practices minimizing soil erosion and land degradation to protect the natural environment.
Collection, conservation and evaluation of the germplasm of true Cinnamon
Feasibility studies on alternative nursery pots for Cinnamon
Feasibility studies on nutrient addition plan for nursery pots
Physiological disorders such as formation of sandy texture in bark tissues that can be impact on quality and quantity of the production.
Feasible intercropping systems with cinnamon.

Soil and Plant Nutrition Division

Improving soil fertility and developing an integrated nutrient management systems for cinnamon by using inorganic and organic fertilizers in order to reduce cost for fertilizer.
To develop a user friendly system to issue site specific fertilizer recommendations for cinnamon growing soils in wet zone.
Development of methods for formulation of low cost and efficient nursery potting mixtures using biofilm-biofertlizer and bio-organic materials
Improving soil fertility by introducing various cover crops and their soil fertility relation to increase cinnamon productivity
Studies towards enhancing nutrient availability with soil amendments
Identification of major and minor soil related constraints linked with low productivity and finding solutions
Identification of visible indicators of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) to monitor major and minor soil nutrient deficiencies.

Plant Protection Division

Conduct experimentation on major pests (vertebrates, invertebrates) diseases & weeds on cinnamon: their biology, bionomics, yield loss and management.
Carried out pest management researches with minimal usage of agrochemicals
Conduct researches on crop health based pest management
Perform researches for post-harvest pest management
Carried out researches on soil invertebrates activities on cinnamon ecosystem
Researches with pest management with using pheromone and antagonistic microorganisms
Use holistic and site specific (precision agriculture) approaches in cinnamon pest management
Germplasm screening for resistant varieties
Studies related to major fungal diseases of Cinnamon; Rough bark disease and White root disease
Studies related to major pests of Cinnamon; Wood boring moth and Cinnamon thrips
Studies on canker incidences of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)

Post-Harvest Technology Division

Identify harvesting practices for increasing bark and oil yield
To improve the quality and hygienic condition of cinnamon processing
Post-harvest handling and increasing storage life
Value addition for cinnamon and product development
Post-harvest pest control
Screening of medical property in Cinnamon
Studies on packaging of cinnamon
Study on quality and quantity variation of true cinnamon in different Agro-ecological regions
Study the quality of cinnamon quills at three levels in value chain after primary processing
Feasibility studies on mechanical harvesting of Cinnamon
Proximate and nutrient analysis of selected accessions of True Cinnamon

Brief description on Cinnamon Training Center

It was established in May 2012 under National Cinnamon Research Station (NTR&TC) in order to conduct training programs for cinnamon processing and cultivation paying special attention on cinnamon technician (peeler) training expecting to overcome the peeler shortage an acute problem of cinnamon industry.

Currently ten different training programmes are conducting in NCR&TC as follows

Core Training Programs		Cause duration
TU C1	Cinnamon processing under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)	5 day
TU C1	Management of cinnamon lands with good Agricultural practices (GAP)	2 day
TU C3	Basic awareness programme for cinnamon industry	1 day
Training Programs Conducted on Demand
TU D1	Cinnamon nursery management & seed storage	1 day
TU D2	Production of organic cinnamon with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)	1 day
TU D3	Management of pest & disease in cinnamon	1 day
TU D4	Management soil & nutrients in cinnamon cultivation	1 day
TU D5	Cinnamon value addition and marketing	1 day
TU D6	Cinnamon entrepreneurship development programme	1 day
TU D7	Basic awareness programme for management of small scale cinnamon cultivation	1 day

Services providing by the research station

Supply of quality Cinnamon seeds and planting materials
Advisory services to solve field problems of Cinnamon farmers
Analytical services with special charges for Soil, Oil quantity and Quality
Training programs for all aspects of Cinnamon
Provide site– specific recommendation for Cinnamon
Visit Cinnamon field fields with pest and disease attacks and giving remedies to solve their problems
Inspection of Cinnamon nurseries
Introduction of new post-harvest technologies to Cinnamon industry
Investigation of soil and soil fertility problems in cinnamon lands reported from directly by farmers and extensionists and giving remedies
Dissemination of technology through conducting awareness training programs for farmers, growers, students, government and private sector workers and officers
Establishment of bilateral research linkages among universities by undertaking undergraduate short term and long term research projects
Investigation on land suitability for cinnamon new planting specially in non-traditional areas
Assistance for the recommendation in plant certification
Implementation of researches for undergraduate students, postgraduate students and diploma holders to fulfillment of their degree of diploma programme.

List of regular and other training programs & training program time table of the year

MONTH	TRAINING PRO.							NUMBER OF TARGAT TRAINEES							TOTAL
MONTH	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	PROGRAME	TRANEES
JANUARY															03	70
								15

								15
														40
FEBRUARY										40					04	110
								15
														40
								15
MARCH												40			04	110
								15
														40
								15
APRIL								15							02	30


								15
MAY											40				05	125
								15
								15
														40
								15
JUNE													50		04	120
								15

								15`						40
JULY								15							05	105
								15
									20
								15
														40

For all types of training programs anyone interested, can apply by sending the completed application.

Inquiries