The Centre for Plant Biotechnology & Molecular Biology (CPBMB), College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara has been awarded the Biotech Product & Process Development and Commercialization Award for the year 2003. It is a national award offered by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India to recognize the outstanding contributions of scientists /innovators/ entrepreneurs/institutions/companies both in public as well as private sector for a new process, product development and commercialization of a technology or a product in the area of biotech and biological sciences including agriculture, biochemical and environmental sciences. The award carries an amount of Rs. 1.0 lakh along with a memento and citation

Dr. P.A. Nazeem, Associate Professor & Head, CPBMB received the award from the Hon'ble Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on 11th May 2003 in the National Awards function celebrated in connection with the Technology Day at New Delhi.

The award for the year 2003 has been given to CPBMB for its outstanding contributions in research, education and extension in the area of Agricultural biotechnology with special reference to improvement of spices through biotechnology and their commercialisation involving farmers, user agencies and plantation industry with successful performance.

Since the start of the CPBMB at College of Horticulture in 1996 as a small tissue culture unit, the dedicated efforts of Dr. R. Vikraman Nair and other staff members associated with the Centre made it to develop fast and to cater to the needs of the University. The CPBMB at present is a full fledged Centre carrying out work in the frontier areas of plant Biotechnology and Molecular biology such as DNA fingerprinting, genetic modification, characterization of pathogenesis related proteins, molecular diagnostics and conservation of endangered plants and bioinformatics, in addition to micropropagation. Now the Centre is supported with four scientific and one technical staff. The research and extension activities of the Centre are coordinated by Dr. K. V. Peter, Vice Chancellor along with Dr. P. A. Nazeem, Dr. R. Keshavachandran, Dr. D. Girija and Dr. P. A. Valsala with the technical assistance of Sri. P. K. Sreekumar and the overall supervision of Dr. K. Rajmohan. The scientists in the Centre are now taking up 12 externally aided projects on various aspects of Biotech for the improvement of Spices, Plantation Crops and Medicinal Plants.