The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute-Thiruvananthapuram
One of the premier scientific institutions in the State, the CTCRI, The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, established in 1963, the institute has grown in stature over the years, gaining international recognition in the process. The research activities are mainly focussed on tropical tuber crops such as cassava (tapioca), sweet potato, yam, elephant foot yam and colocasia. The institute has developed technologies to enhance the productivity and utilisation potential of the tuber crops. The CTCRI also houses the headquarters of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops. The institute maintains a rich diversity of germplasm of all tuber crops. It also has a regional center at Bhubaneswar, Orissa, that conducts research on tuber crops in Eastern India.
Over the years, the CTCRI has developed improved varieties of cassava, sweet potato, yam, colocasia and amorphophallus. Scientists at the institute have standardized agrotechniques and soil nutrient management practices to maximise production. Integrated pest and disease management strategies have been evolved. Scientists have also come up with post-harvesting techniques for tuber crops.
The institute recently took up a project to develop diversified, value-added products from tubers. It also developed a mechanism to market these products through Kudumbasree women’s self-help groups. Training programmes were conducted to transfer the know-how for production. The tuber crops technologies developed by the institute are being assessed through farmers’ participatory programmes for further refinement and transfer.
The Institute Scientists have won national and international recognition in the past comprising the J.J. Chinoy Gold Medal (1970), three ICAR Team Research Awards (1985, 1994 and 1998), D.L. Plucknett Award for Tropical Root Crops (1991), Hari Om Trust Award (1993), Jawaharlal Nehru Awards (1975, 1995,1998, 2000 & 2004) young scientist award by Deseeya Sasthra Vedi (1996) and NRDC reward for biodegradable plastics, Pat Coursey Award (2000 & 2006) for best research paper on yams, Vasantharao Naik, Memorial Gold Medal (2002) for Best paper at National Agricultural Seminar. Best Annual Report Award (1997-98) of ICAR, Sardhar Patel Outstanding Institution Award (2005), VITAA Award of ISTRC (2006) etc.
