National Cinnamon Research and Training Center
Location : The National Cinnamon Research and Training Center, operating under the Department of Cinnamon Development, is the only dedicated research center for cinnamon in Sri Lanka. It is also considered the oldest and only research center globally dedicated to true cinnamon. This center is situated on a 22-acre land in Palolpitiya, Thihagoda, in the Matara District, Southern Province.
Research Divisions : The National Cinnamon Research and Training Center comprises four research divisions and one training division:
Agronomy and Crop Improvement Division
- Introducing good agronomic practices
- Developing superior quality cultivars
- Advancement of nursery management practices
- Research on producing good quality planting material
- Collection, conservation and evaluation of the germplasm of true Cinnamon
- Feasibility studies on alternative nursery pots and nutrient addition plans for nursery pots
- Studies on feasible intercropping systems with cinnamon
Soil and Plant Nutrition Division
- Improving soil fertility and developing integrated nutrient management systems for cinnamon.
- Site specific fertilizer recommendations.
- Development of methods for formulation of low cost and efficient nursery potting mixtures
- Research on improving soil fertility and productivity
- Studies towards enhancing nutrient availability with soil amendments
- Identification of major and minor soil related constraints
- Identification of visible indicators of cinnamon to monitor soil nutrient deficiencies
Plant Protection Division
- Conduct experimentation on major pests diseases & weeds on cinnamon, their biology, bionomics, yield loss and management.
- Pest management researches with minimal usage of agrochemicals
- Crop health-based pest management and post-harvest pest management
- Researches on pest management with using pheromone and antagonistic microorganisms
- Use holistic and site specific (precision agriculture) approaches in cinnamon pest management
- Cinnamon germplasm screening for resistant varieties
- Studies related to major fungal diseases of cinnamon
Post-Harvest Technology Division
- Identifying harvesting practices for increasing bark and oil yield
- Quality and hygienic conditions of cinnamon processing
- Post-harvest handling and increasing storage life
- Value addition for cinnamon and product development
- Post-harvest pest control
- Screening of health properties of Cinnamon
- Studies on packaging of cinnamon
- Studies on quality and quantity variation of true cinnamon in different Agro-ecological regions
- Studies on quality of cinnamon quills at different levels of value chain after primary processing
- Feasibility studies on mechanical harvesting of cinnamon
- Proximate and nutrient analysis of selected accessions of True Cinnamon
Training Programs and Learning Opportunities
Annually, a significant number of people engage with the National Cinnamon Research and Training Center to fulfill their service needs. Students from universities and agricultural institutes participate in practical training, internships, and research activities at this institution. Numerous public and private entities seek knowledge related to the cinnamon industry or to start new ventures, often utilizing the center’s library or contacting the center directly.
The training center and dormitory associated with this research center conduct approximately 15 training programs that cover all stages of cinnamon cultivation and exportation.
Other Services
- A fully equipped cinnamon oil extraction unit.
- Circuit bungalow.
The National Cinnamon Research and Training Center plays a crucial role in the research, training, and development activities within the cinnamon industry. It significantly contributes to maintaining and enhancing high standards in the cinnamon industry, both in Sri Lanka and internationally.