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Kudumbashree produces sweet potato products under ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ project
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Wednesday, 24 June, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Bengaluru
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Kudumbashree, the women empowerment programme implemented by Government of Kerala has manufactured six value-added products, made from sweet potato cultivated by tribal women farmers in Attappady, Kerala. This was developed as part of ‘Punarjeevana Madhuram’ project with 12 technologies transferred from ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) based in Thiruvananthapuram.
The value- added range includes sweet potato kulfi, three types of potato flour, health mix, soup gummies and chips. These were developed from the fortified orange and purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties and will be marketed under the Kudumbashree’s premium agri food brand, K-INAM.
It was in 2024, that Punarjeevana’ was established. ICAR-CTCRI was given the onus to offer sustainable farm livelihood opportunities, improve nutrition, and develop sweet potato value chains among tribal communities in Attappady, and women entrepreneurs.
Currently, varied types of sweet potato are cultivated on over 100 acres of land at Attappady one and only tribal taluk in Kerala spanning 735 km. It was carved out of Mannarkkad taluk in Palakkad. Around 80 women farmers are now guaranteed 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 KM Shaji inaugurated the Punarjeevana Madhuram on June 19, 2026 stated that the Kudumbashree products are acceptable to participate in the export markets. It is laudable that these are produced by ordinary women. “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.
Among those present were Vigneshwari V, executive director Kudumbashree, presented the Minister Shaji with K-INAM branded products. G Byju, director, ICAR-CTCRI, director, H Dineshan land revenue commissioner who was the chief guest; M S Sajeev, principal scientist, ICAR-CTCRI; and S Shanavas, State programme officer, Kudumbashree’s Farm Livelihood vertical.
Minister Shaji also visited the ICAR-CTCRI Techno-Incubation Centre in Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram. This helps entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups develop to commercialise value-added cassava and tropical tuber crop products. Facilities include commercial extrusion and baking for low-glycaemic foods, pasta, and snacks, along with hands-on technical training for a nominal fee.
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