Kudumbashree Introduces Value-Added Products Made from Sweet Potatoes

Six innovative value-added products derived from sweet potatoes cultivated by tribal women farmers in Attappady have been successfully developed. This initiative is part of the Punarjeevana Madhuram project, which aims to enhance the livelihoods of local communities through technology transfer. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) played a crucial role in providing the necessary technology to facilitate this development.

The products created not only diversify the uses of sweet potatoes but also aim to improve the nutritional intake of the local population, while providing economic opportunities for the tribal women involved. The project underscores the importance of sustainable agriculture and the empowerment of marginalized communities through innovative practices and products.

Attappady, located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, has a rich agricultural tradition, and initiatives like Punarjeevana Madhuram are pivotal for promoting indigenous crops and improving food security. The successful integration of technology with local agricultural practices serves as a model for similar projects in rural development and community empowerment across India.