Kudumbashree’s sweet potato value-added products launched
Sweet potato kulfi; gummies; and chips are set to tickle the taste buds of consumers in the State and beyond. In a milestone for agricultural
Sweet potato kulfi; gummies; and chips are set to tickle the taste buds of consumers in the State and beyond. In a milestone for agricultural innovation and women-led entrepreneurship, the Kudumbashree mission has launched six value-added products made from sweet potato cultivated by tribal women farmers in Attappady. These value-added products, have been developed using around 12 technologies transferred from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) as part of the ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ project and are being launched internationally. Three types of sweet potato flour; health mix; and soup are the other three products being manufactured as part of the project.
The value-added products were developed from fortified orange- and purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties. These will reach the market through the Kudumbashree’s premium agri food brand – K-INAM. ‘Punarjeevana’ was launched in 2024 by the Kudumbashree and the ICAR-CTCRI to create sustainable farm livelihood opportunities, improve nutrition, and develop sweet potato value chains among tribal communities in Attappady and women entrepreneurs. At present, different varieties of sweet potato are cultivated on over 100 acres of land at Attappady. Around 80 women farmers are assured of livelihoods through this scheme. Planting material of hybrid varieties of sweet potato that give a good yield and other inputs needed for farming are directly distributed to the farmers.
Modern field-level training and skill development were also ensured. Instead of selling the produce as vegetable in local markets, value-addition is done using technology through the Kudumbashree-Technology Advancement Programme (K-TAP). Minister for Local Self-government K.M. Shaji inaugurated the Punarjeevana Madhuram on Friday. “Kudumbashree products are adequate to compete in global markets. It is notable that these are produced by ordinary women,” the Minister said. The next stage of Kudumbashree, which had started with the aim of poverty alleviation, was a transition towards prosperity. Punarjeevana Madhuram would help achieve that aim, he said.
Kudumbashree executive director V. Vigneshwari presented the Minister with K-INAM branded products. ICAR-CTCRI director G. Byju; Land Revenue Commissioner H. Dineshan who was the chief guest; ICAR-CTCRI principal scientist M.S. Sajeev; Shanavas, State Programme Officer, Kudumbashree’s Farm Livelihood vertical, were present. The Minister visited the CTCRI’s incubation centre at Sreekaryam on the occasion.
The BriefWire