The ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with the Indian Society for Root Crops (ISRC), celebrated “Tuber Crops Day” on 4 December 2025 at 10:30 AM in the Millennium Hall of ICAR–CTCRI, Sreekaryam. This year marked the 13th celebration since the Government of Kerala declared Thrikkarthika as Tuber Crops Day in 2013.
The Chief Guest, Shri Saji John, Director, State Horticulture Mission, Government of Kerala, inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional Thrikkarthika lamp. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the significance of “climate-resilient smart tuber crops” in global agriculture and called for concerted efforts to promote tuber crop cultivation in urban and peri-urban areas. He also proposed establishing a Centre of Excellence for Urban Horticulture at ICAR–CTCRI.
The meeting was presided over by Dr G. Byju, Director, ICAR–CTCRI and President, ISRC. In his presidential address, he highlighted the need for expanding the area under tuber crops in Kerala with support from various state agencies, the nutritional importance of sweet potato, the role of cassava as a saviour crop, the relevance of tuber crops in seed systems, and the need to strengthen marketing networks. During the function, Shri Johnson Mathew, a tuber crop farmer from Thiruvambadi, Kozhikode, who developed the farmer variety ‘MANNA’ (cassava) registered with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi, was felicitated.
Aspart of the programme the chief guest inaugurated the ‘Gene Editing Lab’ of the institute. The event saw active participation from Subject Matter Specialists from 25 Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Assam and around 50 farmers from Idukki, reflecting strong national interest in tuber crop technologies. Dr M. S. Sajeev, Principal Scientist and Vice-President, ISRC, welcomed the gathering and set the tone for the day’s proceedings. Dr T. Makesh Kumar, Head, Division of Crop Protection, ICAR–CTCRI and Secretary, ISRC, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and reaffirming the Society’s commitment to advancing research and awareness on root and tuber crops.
