The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), in collaboration with the State Kudumbashree Mission, organized the ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ programme on 18 June 2026 to promote value addition and entrepreneurship based on sweet potato cultivation.
The programme was inaugurated by K. M. Shaji, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self-Government, Government of Kerala. During the event, eight sweet potato-based value-added products developed by ICAR-CTCRI under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) programme implemented in Attappady were officially launched. The products were developed with the objective of enhancing livelihood opportunities, promoting nutritional security, and creating market avenues for tribal communities in Attappady.
In his inaugural address, Shri K. M. Shaji emphasized the importance of sweet potato-based value-added products in transforming poverty into prosperity. He highlighted the role of Kudumbashree in promoting women’s empowerment through gender justice and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI, presided over the function. In his presidential address, he highlighted the institute’s efforts in developing innovative technologies and value-added products from tuber crops to support sustainable livelihoods and rural development. He also underscored the growing international recognition of sweet potato as a “superfood” and the significant contributions of ICAR-CTCRI in advancing sweet potato research and utilization.
The Chief Guest, Shri H. Dinesan, Commissioner, Land Revenue Department and former Executive Director of Kudumbashree, noted that Kudumbashree has developed and commercialized a wide range of value-added products based on 184 technologies sourced from various research institutions and marketed through distributors across Kerala.
The ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of ICAR-CTCRI and Kudumbashree in empowering tribal communities through technology-led interventions, entrepreneurship development, and value addition in sweet potato-based enterprises.
Dr. S. Shanavas, Programme Officer (Farm Livelihood), Kudumbashree, presented the details of the ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ programme. Dr. M. S. Sajeev, Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Crop Utilization, ICAR-CTCRI, offered felicitations.
Ms. V. Vigneswari, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, welcomed the gathering, while Shri G. Ramesh proposed the vote of thanks.
As part of the programme, the newly launched sweet potato-based value-added products were handed over to local women entrepreneurs, marketing partners, and representatives of Kudumbashree enterprises. Exhibition stalls showcasing various technologies developed by ICAR-CTCRI were also arranged during the occasion. More than 100 women farmers from Attappady participated in the programme, demonstrating the strong community engagement and potential for scaling up sweet potato-based enterprises in tribal regions of Kerala.
