IN FOCUS

Curtain raiser of the golden jubilee celebrations of CTCRI was held at 5:00 PM on 28/01/2013 in Millennium Hall, CTCRI. Former President of India, H.E. Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated the celebrations. Dr.S.K.Chakrabarti, Director, CTCRI presided over the function. Dr.James George, Project Coordinator, AICRPTC welcomed the gathering and Dr.G.Padmaja, Head, Division of Crop Utilization proposed the vote of thanks. During the inaugural address, Dr.Kalam commented CTCRI for the achievements it had made during the past fifty year period especially for the success in science and technological mission towards the development of tuber crops and its related products for sustainable development of the nation.
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DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

World Food production must be doubled by the mid-21st century to feed a world population that is projected to increase from the current 6.4 billion to 9 billion using less land, far less water, and fewer nutrients in the background of negative effects of climate change on cereals. Besides, growing biofuel driven demand for grain crops (corn and oil seeds) and sugar cane is also increasing the pressure on food demand. Tuber crops constitute the important link to fill the food security gap with the ability to respond to climate change in an efficient manner. This necessitates a continuing need for the tuber crops to maintain strong productivity growth. Adaptation measures, including improved agricultural technologies, will be particularly important in reducing the potential impact in this context. Studies conducted by the Institute indicated only 45-60% adoption of production technologies in major tuber crops growing states hinting at the need to make concerted efforts to improve the diffusion/adoption of varieties and production technologies in different agro-ecological situations. The projected rise in diabetic population in India to 80 million by 2050 emphasises the need to develop low glycaemic foods and sweet potato being a low glycaemic index food is ideal for developing and popularising functional foods for such targeted population. Technologies to produce functional foods such as sweet potato pasta, gluten free cassava pasta, etc. already developed by the Institute need to be given wide publicity to reach the take off stage. Events like training programmes by AICRPTC, CTCRI-NEH collaborative seminar cum training and training workshop in Nagaland organized by the Institute are programmes directed towards the task of increasing the productivity of tuber crops through popularization of CTCRI technologies and capacity building of human resources. I congratulate Dr M.N.Sheela who joined as Head, Division of Crop Improvement. The Institute has celebrated Foundation day commemorating the 50th year of Foundation of CTCRI on July 10, 2012 in an impressive way. Our responsibilities have increased many folds and a lot needs to be done in the


THE PROCESS

Improved varieties

Systematic efforts during the past five decades have led to the release of 47 varieties of tuber crops viz., 12 in cassava, 16 in sweet potato, 10 in yams, 2 in Amorphophallus, 6 in Colocasia and 1 in Coleus. more

Integrated Production Systems/Technology

Agrotechniques and soil fertility management practices to maximize production of all the major tropical tuber crops were developed. more

Pest and disease management strategies

Cassava based biopesticides have been developed against papaya mealy bug, Aphids, Borer pests like Red palm weevil and storage pests, viz., Sitophilus oryzae, Rhizopatta dominica .The pilot plant for production of biopesticide has been installed in the institute. more

Value addition

With the rapidly changing life style of the people of India and the increased rate of migration to urban areas, there is a projected increase in the consumption of processed foods. more

Technology Assessment and Transfer

Technology assessment, transfer of tuber crops technologies and generation of socio-economic and impact information on tuber crops are done by this section.more