ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

The ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) celebrated Women Farmers’ Day (Mahila Kisan Diwas) on 15 October 2026 in collaboration with All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops (AICRPTC), recognising the significant contributions of women to agriculture, food production, rural livelihoods and agricultural entrepreneurship. The programme highlighted the importance of empowering women farmers through improved agricultural technologies, capacity-building initiatives and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Dr. Sheela Immanuel, Principal Scientist, delivered the welcome address. Dr. G. Suja, Director-in-Charge, presided over the programme and emphasised the institute’s commitment to empowering women farmers through the dissemination of agricultural technologies. Dr. V. S. Santhosh Mithra, Principal Scientist and Scientist-in-Charge of the Extension and Social Science Section, highlighted the socio-economic contributions of women to agriculture. Dr. J. Sreekumar, Principal Scientist, spoke on agricultural entrepreneurship and the opportunities available for women to establish farm-based enterprises. Smt. Rajalekshmi, a successful woman farmer, shared her farming experiences and success story with the participants.

As part of the programme, two women farmers were honoured in recognition of their valuable contributions to agriculture. The awardees were Smt. Rajalekshmi, an innovative woman farmer from Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram, and Smt. Parukutty Kanikan, a representative of a self-help group (SHG) from Amboori, Thiruvananthapuram. Dr. H. Kesava Kumar, Principal Scientist, proposed the vote of thanks. Technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Jeena Mathew, Principal Scientist, on sweet potato cultivation, and Dr. Sheela Immanuel on gender mainstreaming in agriculture. Sweet potato vines were distributed to the participating farm women and farmers to encourage the cultivation of the crop. A field visit was also organised following the technical sessions. The programme was attended by around 150 participants, including scientists, institute staff, farmers and farm women.