Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 18 (UNI) India currently produces 10.11 million tonnes of tropical root and tuber crops from 4.06 lakh hectares, with cassava and sweet potato together contributing nearly 71 per cent of the national output.
Cultivated in more than 120 countries, these crops play a vital role in ensuring food and livelihood security for nearly two billion people, according to experts attending the 20th International Symposium on Tropical Root and Tuber Crops being held here
Over 90 international delegates from more than 25 countries across six continents, along with over 200 participants from India, have gathered in the capital for the five-day global event, organised jointly with the Indian Society for Root Crops (ISRC).
The symposium, which began on Monday at the ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Sreekariyam, will conclude on November 21.
Aimed at shaping future research priorities and strengthening global scientific collaboration, the event features seven keynote lectures, 35 lead presentations, 96 oral papers and 149 posters.
Technical sessions will cover biodiversity and crop improvement, sustainable resource management, climate and pest challenges, value addition, technology transfer, and a dedicated segment on banana research.
An industry–stakeholder meeting and a visit to ICAR–CTCRI have been scheduled for November 20. This is the second time India is hosting the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) Symposium, the first being in 2006.
The symposium was inaugurated by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, who emphasised the rising global relevance of tropical root crops in addressing food shortages, improving nutritional security and fostering rural entrepreneurship in a changing climate.
N ISTRC President Prof. Lateef O. Sanni, presiding over the function, highlighted the importance of root crops and bananas as staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa.
ISRC President and ICAR-CTCRI Director Dr. G. Baiju welcomed the gathering, calling for stronger international partnerships to enhance productivity and expand value-chain opportunities. Eminent scientists including Dr. R. Selvarajan, Dr. Hugo Campos, Prof. Michael Abberton, Prof. Andrew Westby and World Food Prize laureate Dr. Jan W. Low addressed the inaugural session.
During the ceremony, Dr. A. N. Jyothi, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CTCRI, received the ISRC Fellow 2025 Award. The Dr. A. Abraham Award for best research papers published in the Journal of Root Crops was presented to Jini Mol and Dr. M. Nedumchezhiyan. A special edition of the Kerala Karshakan e-journal, focusing on tropical roots and tubers, was also released.
