ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

The ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, honoured eight progressive tuber crop farmers from different parts of the country in recognition of their outstanding achievements in scientific cultivation, technology adoption, and entrepreneurship. Their success stories highlight the impact of ICAR-CTCRI technologies in enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainable tuber crop farming.

The awardees included:

•Shri Yalamati Subbarao (Andhra Pradesh) – Recognised for achieving 22–25 tonnes per acre of the ICAR-CTCRI-developed elephant foot yam variety 'Gajendra', generating a net income of ₹3–5 lakh per acre.

•Shri Bharat Bhushan (Himachal Pradesh) – Honoured for earning nearly ₹8 lakh per acre from elephant foot yam cultivation and promoting tuber crops through Nirmala Agrofresh.

•Shri M.S. Mahalingeshwar Prasad (Karnataka) – Recognised for pioneering grow bag cultivation of biofortified sweet potato and earning nearly ₹10 lakh per crop cycle.

•Smt. Aswathy M. (Kerala) – Honoured for producing nearly 30 tonnes of tuber crops annually and successfully developing arrowroot-based farming and entrepreneurship.

•Shri Shiju M.S. (Kerala) – Recognised for achieving 21.3 tonnes per acre of elephant foot yam through an innovative crop–fish integrated farming system.

•Shri Sujith S.P. (Kerala) – Honoured for achieving 20–22 tonnes per acre of elephant foot yam and promoting scientific farming practices through digital media.

•Shri P. Velusamy (Tamil Nadu) – Recognised for achieving a cassava yield of 43.5 tonnes per hectare and supplying quality cassava and sweet potato planting materials to farmers.

•Shri Prasanta Kumar Giri (Odisha) – Honoured for developing an integrated farming system and supplying quality tuber crop planting materials as a Decentralized Seed Multiplier.

The institute recognised these farmers for their exemplary contributions to improving tuber crop productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices, and inspiring fellow farmers through innovation and technology adoption.