The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bio Mountain Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Kannur, to promote the dissemination and adoption of improved spice production technologies among farmers.

The MoU was signed by IISR Director R. Dinesh and Bio Mountain Farmers Producer Company chairman Sibi Palakuzhy during the 11th Research Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting of the institute here on Monday (August 17).

The collaboration is aimed at strengthening links between the institute and farmer-producer organisations and facilitating the transfer of appropriate technologies to the field, with a focus on productivity, sustainable spice production and livelihood opportunities.

An AI-enabled next-generation sequencing (NGS) toolkit developed by the Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics Facility of IISR was also launched. The new platform is designed to simplify high-throughput sequencing data analysis for researchers with limited programming or bioinformatics expertise.

IISR also entered into a licensing agreement with Botagnix Private Ltd., Jalna, Maharashtra, for the commercial production and marketing of a granular formulation of Lecanicillium psalliotae, a fungus used to manage cardamom thrips. The licence was handed over by Mr. Dinesh to Botagnix director Anup Karwa in the presence of RAC members, including ICAR Additional Director General Sudhakar Pandey.

Two new licences were also issued for the commercial utilisation of IISR Chandra, an improved black pepper variety developed by the institute. The RAC meeting reviewed the institute’s research, technology development, technology transfer and outreach activities.

The committee, chaired by B.M.C. Reddy, stressed the need for stronger partnerships with farmer organisations and industry to translate research outcomes into field-level applications. Mr. Dinesh said the MoU, digital initiatives and technology licensing programmes would strengthen the institute’s links with stakeholders and facilitate wider adoption of technologies developed by ICAR-IISR.

Published - August 17, 2026 07:29 pm IST