KANUBARI, 16 Sep: Farmers and self-help group members learned about improved technologies for tuber crops cultivation during training programme organized here on Wednesday by KVK Longding in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram.

Kanubari ADC Pebika Lego also attended the programme and stressed the importance of processing and value addition of tapioca and sweet potato which are produced in Longding district in huge quantities annually and remain in surplus after meeting consumption needs. 

ICAR-CTCRI principal scientist V.S Santhosh Mithra said that the production of tuber crops can be enhanced by adopting improved technologies, using improved varieties and applying sufficient nutrients required for their growth and development.

R. Arutselvan, senior scientist at ICAR-CTCRI, highlighted insect pests and diseases affecting tropical tuber crops like tapioca, sweet potato, taro, elephant foot yam, which are locally produced in large quantities.

He further highlighted the importance of the use of improved varieties which are resistant to different insect pest and diseases. He further stressed the importance of using bio-pesticides that can be prepared locally from herbs with insecticidal properties.

Later, the ADC distributed small garden tools khurpa and trowel, and vegetable seeds.

Head of the ICAR-KVK Utpal Kumar Bhattacharyya advised farmers to adopt the technologies for higher production and maximum income.