1) Overview

Central Research Station – Matale is the main research station of the Department of Export Agriculture. Research programs are conducted with special focus on export agricultural crops and their products, covering disciplines such as agronomy, entomology, plant breeding, plant pathology, plant physiology, post-harvest technology and soil science.

The station spans 172 acres consisting of laboratory complexes, farm buildings, quarters, research fields and germplasm collections. Nursery plant production is carried out according to the requirements of researchers and stakeholders. Laboratory experiments are conducted in seven divisions for pest and disease identification, new variety development, fertilizer recommendations, agronomic improvements, value addition and technology transfer.

2) Divisions of the Institute

Research Divisions

• Agronomy Division
• Entomology Division
• Genetics & Plant Breeding
• Plant Pathology Division
• Plant Physiology & Plant Production
• Post-Harvest Technology Division
• Soil Science & Plant Nutrition Division

Sections

• National Spice Garden
• Research Farm & The Nursery
• Plant Protection Unit
• Library
• Crop Museum & Seed Garden
• Soil Techno Park & Plant Houses
• The Director’s Office
• The Farm & The General Stores
• Agro-Meteorological Observatory
• Workshop & Machinery Section

3) On-going Research Areas

Agronomy Division

• Evaluation of field performance of rooted cocoa (Theobroma cacao) at Matale
• Home garden model of export agricultural crops
• Evaluation of irrigation techniques for pepper (Piper nigrum)
• Effect of training systems on Arabica coffee yield
• Rehabilitation of improved cocoa cultivars
• Micro-irrigation effects on cocoa and arecanut systems
• Impact of extreme weather on EAC productivity

Entomology Division

• Biological control of coffee berry borer using Beauveria bassiana
• Evaluation of black pepper hybrids against pest damage
• Screening cardamom varieties for thrips resistance

Genetics & Plant Breeding Division

• Evaluation of coffee, cardamom and cocoa accessions
• Molecular sex determination of nutmeg
• Geographical indication development for pepper and coffee
• Conservation and utilization of Piper species

Plant Pathology Division

• Management of pepper quick wilt and slow wilt diseases
• Development of bio-control formulations
• Integrated disease management for ginger

Post-Harvest Technology Division

• Quality improvement of cinnamon and coffee processing
• Development of value-added spice products
• Development of small-scale processing equipment

Soil Science & Plant Nutrition Division

• Soil fertility management for pepper and cocoa
• Organic cultivation strategies
• Land suitability classification for export crops
• Sustainable container cultivation of ginger and turmeric

4) Services Provided by the Research Station

• Research and development on spices and allied crops
• Training programs for:
  • University and technical college students
  • Agriculture school students
  • School children
  • Farmers and producers
• Release of new crop varieties
• Mass production of planting materials
• Conservation of germplasm and maintenance of seed gardens
• Publication of technical bulletins
• Advisory and field inspection programs