The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SOVA Foundation Trust, West Bengal, to strengthen farmers’ capacity for participatory biotechnology interventions aimed at improving livelihoods.
As a technical partner, ICAR-CTCRI will extend its scientific expertise to support SOVA’s livelihood programs in the Sundarbans and other regions of West Bengal, with scope for expansion to other states.
“Scientific innovations should reach the needy promptly, enabling them to seize emerging opportunities profitably,” said Dr. G. Byju, Director, ICAR-CTCRI. He added that ICAR-CTCRI’s proven expertise in producing high-quality planting material and developing value-addition technologies will empower West Bengal’s farmers to cultivate tuber crops profitably.
He further highlighted the importance of scaling up biotechnology-based interventions, including micropropagation protocols developed by SOVA, and ICAR-CTCRI’s innovations such as biocapsules, foliar micronutrient formulations, and biopesticides, to create and sustain viable farm-based enterprises.
The SOVAFT team, represented by Dr. Ramalakshmi Datta, Director, SOVA, and Dr. A. Datta, briefed about SOVAFT’s activities and emphasized the importance of maintaining synergy between SOVAFT and ICAR-CTCRI for maximum impact.
