KOTTAYAM (Kerala): The three-day 24th Kerala Science Congress begins here Sunday with a special focus on climate change and the state's plantation crops.

"The science congress is expected to be a forum for productive exchange of state-of-the-art scientific research across different disciplines," said V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, president of the event.

The theme of this year's edition is 'Climate change: Plantation crops and spices of Kerala'.

"Leading experts will discuss on issues related to how spices and plantation crops can be adapted to the projected changes in weather patterns, temperature and rainfall driven by climate change," said Pillai.

The event will also provide a platform for young, budding researchers to interact with experienced scientists like M.S. Swaminathan.