The Field Research Centre of KFRI is situated at Velupadam, Thrissur, and has an area of 47.3 ha. It is set up with facilities for laboratory work and field studies, including nurseries and experimental plantations. The centre has a Scientist in charge, an officer in charge and a number of supporting Field and Project staff. The facilities provided by FRC, Velupadam are as follows:
The KFRI-Bambusetum was established during 1988-95 as part of the IDRC Bamboo Project at FRC Campus Velupadam. Sixty-three different species of bamboo are present in the Bambusetum, which is one of the major attractions of the centre for researchers and the public. Valuable information on clump development, culm production and growth parameters like culm length, culm girth, etc., are being observed, computed and analysed at this centre by the KFRI Scientist for productivity and management of these valuable Bamboo varieties. Effective management practices like weeding, soil working, selective cutting, etc., on the production potential of each of these species are being closely monitored. The KFRI-Bambusetum aims to have an exhaustive collection of sympodial bamboo that can be grown in a typical agro-climatic zone and to gather invaluable scientific information on bamboo growth in the State of Kerala. The Bambusetum also serves as a genetic resource for future crop improvement programmes for forest managers and enterprising farmers.
The Arboretum in the FRC, Velupadam, is one of the richest floristic collections in the state. The biotope is moist deciduous forests with about 188 tree species of 50 families and 122 genera. There are 50 taxa endemic to southern Peninsular India. The arboretum is maintained with grid maps and markings of the location details of each live collection. It is also recognized internationally and is enlisted in the National Network of Botanical Gardens in India. The Arboretum premises provide a rewarding and valuable experience to visiting researchers and students.
KFRI has forest nurseries at FRC, Velupadam. In addition to providing facilities to researchers and students, the nurseries cater to the needs of the public by producing and supplying quality seedlings of rare and economically important trees, bamboo, rattan, and medicinal plant species on payment. Nurseries also attract visitors like forestry professionals, researchers, farmers, and students.
The Bamboo Processing Centre (BPC) was established at FRC, Velupadam of KFRI, with the support of the National Bamboo Mission under the Annual Action Plan of 2013-14. The BPC functions as a means of reviving the bamboo sector by demonstrating the benefits of mechanical processing of bamboo to artisans, innovative farmers, and industrial entrepreneurs who produce value-added products for livelihood and enterprise development. The value-addition process is also expected to contribute significantly to reviving the traditional industry and make it a sustainable business model for entrepreneurs.
A set of Bamboo processing machinery consisting of Bamboo Cross Cutting Machine, Bamboo Hydraulic Splitter, Bamboo Internal Knot Removing Machine, Bamboo External Knot Removing Machine, Bamboo Thin Slicing Machine, Heavy Duty Thick Slivering Machine, Bamboo Square Stick Making Machine, Bamboo Blind Weaving Machine (Power loom), Vaccum/Pressure Impregnation Treatment Plant, Laser Engraving Machine etc.
A watershed is an area of land that drains rainfall to a common outlet, such as the outflow of a reservoir, pond, or any point along a stream channel. At FRC Velupadam, there is a well-maintained watershed model to prevent the outflow of rainfall and provides an excellent model for demonstrating sustainable land use practices and environmental education to the visiting public.
KFRI Field Research Centre,
Velupadam P.O., Palappilly.
Phone: 0480 - 2762205
Tel: +91-480-2762205
e-mail: frc@kfri.res.in