The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) organized the district-level inauguration of the Seedgram 2025–30 programme in Palakkad on 19th July 2025. The event was held in collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare, the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), and the Susthira Thrithala Programme.
Shri M. B. Rajesh, Hon’ble Minister for LSGD, Excise, and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala, was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the programme at the Block Panchayat Hall, Thrithala. The programme, titled "Establishment of Seed Villages and Decentralized Seed Multipliers," aims to enhance the availability of quality planting materials of tuber crops at the block and district levels in the coming years.
Dr. K. Sunil Kumar, Leader of the SCSP Programme, briefed the participants about the initiative and delivered the welcome address. Under this initiative, 50 Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries will be identified from all seven grama panchayats in Thrithala Block and will be provided with Genuine Planting Material (GPM) and various inputs for implementing the seed multiplication programme.
The Farmers’ Meet and Exhibition was also inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister and witnessed participation from around 250 farmers and officials from the Departments of Agriculture and LSGD. The function was presided over by Shri P. R. Kunjunni, Vice President, Block Panchayat. Notable speakers included Smt. Shariba Teacher, District Panchayat Member, Smt. Sumiya, Head of KVK Palakkad, and officials from the Soil Survey Department and the Agriculture Department, including the Assistant Director of Agriculture, Smt. Mariyath Kibithiya, who proposed the vote of thanks.
Following the formal inauguration, technical sessions and a farmer–scientist interaction were conducted. Dr. K. Sunil Kumar delivered a session on improved production technologies of tuber crops, seed village concepts, and the DSM programme, while a practical session on rapid multiplication of QPM was handled by Shri B. Satheesan.
The CTCRI team supporting the programme included Shri Rejin, Shri Shiju, Smt. Nijamol, Smt. Remya, and others.
