A Nutritional Breakthrough for Tribal Health
Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato to Boost Tribal Nutrition in India : The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) has developed a special orange-fleshed sweet potato variety, SP-95/4, to combat Vitamin A deficiency and improve tribal food security in Kerala and other Indian states. This variety has shown exceptional results across field trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala, and has now been approved for larger-scale cultivation.
Nutritional Value and Suitability
The SP-95/4 sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene (8 mg/100g), a precursor of Vitamin A that is critical in preventing nutritional blindness and immune deficiencies. The average tuber weighs around 300 grams, with a fusiform (spindle-like) shape that makes it ideal for commercial processing. This variety is not only climate-resilient but also adaptable to various terrains, including hilly tribal regions.
Trials, Cultivation & Expansion Plans
The variety underwent multi-location trials that validated its productivity and adaptability. Most notably, trials in Attappadi, a tribal belt in Kerala, confirmed its success. Currently, the crop is cultivated on 10–15 acres, but plans are in place to expand cultivation to 100 acres by the end of 2025. A processing unit is also being considered under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to boost economic viability and farmer participation.
Rainbow Diet & Punarjeevanam Initiatives
The cultivation initiative is linked to two key projects:
- Rainbow Diet Programme: Started by CTCRI in 2023, it aims to promote biofortified tubers in tribal diets.
- Punarjeevanam Project: A joint venture launched in 2024 by Kudumbashree and CTCRI, expanding the scope of tuber crop adoption and food self-reliance in Attappadi.
These efforts emphasize dietary diversity, promote healthier eating habits, and integrate locally grown, nutrient-rich crops into everyday meals.
Public Health & Economic Impact
Sweet potato farming under this initiative not only improves diet quality and public health outcomes but also supports livelihoods in tribal regions. Addressing malnutrition through sustainable agriculture links well with national missions for food security and rural development. With the success of SP-95/4, more states may replicate this model in the near future.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato to Boost Tribal Nutrition in India :
| Feature | Details |
| Variety Name | SP-95/4 (Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato) |
| Developed By | ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) |
| Nutritional Value | 8 mg/100g Beta-carotene |
| Target Area | Kerala (Attappadi), Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal |
| Trial Success | Final stage trials in Attappadi confirmed viability |
| Initiatives | Rainbow Diet Programme (2023), Punarjeevanam Project (2024) |
| Expansion Goal | 100 acres cultivation by 2025 |
| Public Health Focus | Reducing Vitamin A deficiency in tribal regions |
| Processing Unit Support | Funded via Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) |
| Significance | Boosts tribal nutrition, supports farmer incomes, scalable model |
