A Training-cum-Demonstration Programme on “Improved Production and Value Addition Technologies in Tropical Tuber Crops” was organized under ICAR-CTCRI NEH Programme 2026 in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Longding on 10 March 2026 at Kanubari, Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh. The programme was graced by Shri Yashwant Meena, IAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kanubari as the Chief Guest and he stressed the importance of scientific cultivation of high yielding varieties and value addition for augmenting farmers income. Smt. Kohai Tingkhatra, ZPM of Kanubari was the Guest of Honour. Dr. U. K. Bhattacharyya, Senior Scientist-cum-Head, ICAR-KVK Longding delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of tropical tuber crops in improving food and nutritional security in the North-Eastern Hill region. During the technical session, Dr. R. Muthuraj, Principal Scientist and Project PI of the NEH Programme delivered a lecture on improved production technologies in tropical tuber crops, explaining scientific cultivation practices for enhancing productivity. Dr. Sajeev M. S., in his class on value addition and entrepreneurship development in tuber crops highlighted opportunities for processing tuber crops into products such as chips, flour, starch, and traditional snack items to enhance farmers’ income. As part of the programme, farmers were also provided hands-on training on preparation of chips and namkeen from cassava. A special lecture on AI and IoT in tuber crops was delivered by Dr. V. S. Santhosh Mithra who explained the role of digital technologies for improving farm management and productivity. During the programme, farm tools like hand hoes, spades, tuber slicers and Trichoderma bio capsules were distributed to the farmers to promote cultivation and post-harvest processing and value addition. About 100 farmers from various parts of the district participated in the training programme. The programme was organized with the active involvement of ICAR-KVK Longding staff including Shri Vikas (SMS, Horticulture), Dr. Tilling Tayo (ACTO, Animal Science), Dr. Amit Kumar (SMS, Land & Water Management Engineering), and Dr. Deep Narayan Mishra (SMS, Plant Pathology).
