16-05-2025
ICAR-CTCRI, CISSA join hands to strengthen 36 farmer producer companies
The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) will help to strengthen 36 farmer producer companies (FPC) in four southern districts of Kerala under an initiative that places special emphasis on tuber crops.
Under it, CTCRI will help to equip the FPCs with skills in value chain development, processing, packaging, branding, and marketing in the context of tuber crops, G. Byju, director, CTCRI, said.
The 36 FPCs are promoted by the NGO Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) and CISSA and CTCRI exchanged an MoU here on Thursday for the initiative.
The CTCRI will provide technical support, business mentorship and entrepreneurial training to the FPCs so as to enhance their capacity to function as successful agro-based enterprises, Dr. Byju said.
The FPCs are from the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha.
Addressing the MoU exchange function at the CTCRI, former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan said functional linkages among teaching, research and extension organisations are vital to transforming FPCs into sustainable business organisations.
On the occasion, Mr. Muraleedharan flagged off 'Ananthapuri 5000,' a programme of CISSA for developing 5000 'impactful enterprises' by September 2025. This initiative is aimed at empowering farmer collectives with technology, knowledge, and entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for resilient and prosperous rural communities.
