The ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, organized a training programme on Improved Technologies of Tuber Crops for Enhancing Farm Income under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) on 24 September 2025 at Kappala, Gudalur, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Ooty, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), and the Department of Horticulture, Government of Tamil Nadu.
The event was attended by Dr. M. Kavitha, Associate Professor (Horticulture) and Head, HRS–TNAU, Ooty; Mrs. B. S. Aishwarya, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Gudalur; Dr. J. Suresh Kumar, Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator of the TSP Project, ICAR–CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr. M. Velmurugan, Professor (Horticulture), TNAU, Tuber Crops Research Station (TCRS), Yethapur; Dr. G. Senthilraja, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), HRS, Ooty; and Mr. Vinod, Agricultural Extension Officer.
The training sessions focused on crop production and plant protection aspects of sweet potato and cassava. Dr. Velmurugan (TCRS, Yethapur) delivered training on production and pest management of tropical tuber crops, with special emphasis on sweet potato and cassava. Dr. J. Suresh Kumar conducted hands-on training on vine preparation for sweet potato planting, while Dr. Kavitha led a session on homestead vegetable cultivation. Disease management in tuber crops was addressed by Dr. Senthilraja.
As part of the programme, planting materials of improved biofortified sweet potato varieties—Bhu Sona and Bhu Krishna—along with the promising biofortified genotype SP-95/4, were distributed to farmers. Training materials were also provided to support the establishment of demonstration plots and seed villages under the TSP initiative.
A total of 90 participants, including TSP farmers, entrepreneurs, and officials, attended the programme. In the coming months, frontline demonstrations of improved varieties and technologies will be conducted, along with capacity-building programmes and the distribution of various farm inputs, organic formulations, and micronutrient formulations developed by ICAR–CTCRI, for the benefit of tribal farmers.
