Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI)
The Central Coffee Research Institute was established in 1925 as the Coffee Experimental Station at Balehonnur in Chikmaglur District of Karnataka State by the relentless efforts of the then Director of Agriculture, Mysore State Agricultural Department, Dr. L.C. Coleman. The primary objective if the station was to breed leaf rust (caused by the fungus hemileia vastatrix) resistant coffee and to find remedies for the dreaded pest- the coffee white stem borer. In 1946, the Coffee Board of India took over this research station from the erstwhile Government of Mysore (now called Karnataka) and expanded the research facilities for carrying out extensive research on coffee with multidisciplinary faculties.
Today, the Central Coffee Research Institute, popularly known as CCRI,Situated in a calm and serene green environment, has grown as an internationally recognized, state of the art research center for carryingout research on all aspects of coffee cultivation. CCRI is committed to introducing emerging technologies and sustainable package of practices to benefit the coffee farmers. It plays an important role in development and growth of the coffee agricultural sector. CCRI has 115 dedicated scientists working for the development of newer technologies in close association with a number of international institutes, reputed national institutes and pure science and agricultural universities. Central Coffee Research Institute is located on a 134 ha campus comprising of housing facilities, laboratories, library, research farm, coffee processing facilities, and training center. The laboratories are housed in spacious buildings measuring over 12000m2. The research farm is around 94.8ha.
The farm has a total strength of 120 workmen comprising of mazdoors, maistries and other staff.