The Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics was established at CCRI with a major mandate of to develop high yielding Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties with durable resistance to pests and diseases, improved quality, and adaptability to diverse growing conditions.

Over the years, the division has released 15 Arabica and 3 Robusta varieties. Popular Arabica selections such as Sln.3 (S.795), Sln.6, Sln.9, Sln.5A, Sln.5B, and Chandragiri are widely cultivated across coffee-growing regions, while S.274 and CxR remain key Robusta varieties in India’s plantations. The division also maintains a rich coffee germplasm collection, including 300 Arabica, 73 Robusta, and 17 other Coffea species, which support ongoing breeding programmes. The division also collaborates with global research bodies like World Coffee Research and, Global Innovea and International Robusta Breeding program and with M/s Nestlé Pvt. Ltd., Tours, France. Recently, the division has released two elite arabica varieties viz., CCRI -Suraksha, a semi dwarf variety and CCRI-Shatabdi, a tall arabica variety for commercial cultivation.