Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) – India’s Premier Tuber Crop Research Centre
What is CTCRI?
The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is the only institute in the world dedicated exclusively to research on tropical tuber crops. Established in 1963 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), CTCRI was created to advance research and innovation in crops such as cassava, sweet potato, yam, taro, and elephant foot yam, which are important for food, nutritional security, and rural livelihoods.
Tuber crops serve as climate-resilient and nutrient-rich alternatives to conventional cereals, especially in rainfed, tribal, and marginal farming systems. CTCRI plays a key role in improving tuber productivity, enhancing post-harvest value addition, and making tuber farming viable for smallholders and entrepreneurs alike.
With over 60 years of scientific excellence, CTCRI is widely recognized for its contributions in the fields of plant breeding, biotechnology, crop protection, food processing, and value chain development. It supports innovation-led rural development, gender-inclusive agri-entrepreneurship, and sustainable agro-industrial ecosystems.
Objectives of CTCRI
- Conduct strategic research on tropical tuber crops.
- Improve yield, quality, and pest resistance of tubers.
- Promote sustainable cultivation practices.
- Develop value-added and processed products.
- Transfer technology through training and extension.
Research Achievements
CTCRI has developed and released 60+ high-yielding and pest-resistant tuber crop varieties. These include elite cassava cultivars, early-maturing sweet potatoes, drought-tolerant yams, and value-added processing lines for commercial use.
- Built India’s largest germplasm bank for tropical tuber crops.
- Created protocols for tuber tissue culture and in vitro conservation.
- Innovated cassava-based biofuels and sustainable farming models.
- Contributed to food security and crop diversification in climate-stressed regions.
Facilities and Services
- Advanced R&D labs for plant biotechnology and food science.
- Germplasm conservation and breeding programs.
- Pilot plants for processing cassava flour, starch, and chips.
- Business incubation for tuber-based enterprises.
- Training in tuber cultivation, value addition, and rural entrepreneurship.
Education and Training
- Regular training for researchers, KVK experts, and state agri officers.
- Farmer schools and on-campus exposure visits.
- Capacity building for youth, women-led groups, and tribal entrepreneurs.
- E-learning and printed publications in regional languages.
Extension & Outreach
CTCRI collaborates with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), SAUs, and state departments for real-time transfer of innovation. It regularly organizes:
- Field demonstrations
- Technology fairs
- On-site trainings
- Digital outreach via mobile apps and video-based learning
One successful outreach initiative enabled over 5,000 tribal farmers to switch from subsistence farming to cassava-based value chain enterprises in Odisha and NE India.
Collaborations and Partnerships
CTCRI works with multiple stakeholders:
- National partners: ICAR institutes, IARI, State Agri Universities, NABARD
- International partners: FAO, IITA (Nigeria), CIP (Peru), SAARC Agri Centre
- Industry: Food processors, exporters, bioenergy companies
- NGOs & FPOs: For adoption of tuber-based income-generating activities
Contact Information
- Address: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram – 695017, Kerala, India
- Email:director.ctcri@icar.gov.in
- Website: https://www.ctcri.org
Conclusion
The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) stands as a unique and pioneering institution in India’s agricultural landscape, dedicated solely to the advancement of tropical tuber crops. With a legacy of over six decades, it has significantly contributed to food security, rural livelihoods, and agro-industrial development through scientific innovation, capacity building, and inclusive outreach. From developing high-yielding cassava and yam varieties to promoting value-added processing and entrepreneurship, CTCRI continues to transform how India cultivates and utilizes tuber crops. As climate change and food system challenges intensify, CTCRI’s role in building sustainable, resilient, and nutrition-rich agriculture is more crucial than ever. It is not just a research institute—it is a driver of rural transformation and agri-innovation in India and beyond.