Tropical root and tuber crops—staples that quietly sustain millions across the tropical world, took center stage in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as scientists, innovators, and policymakers converged for the 20th International Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC). The 2025 edition, hosted by the ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) in collaboration with the Indian Society for Root Crops (ISRC), marked a significant milestone, returning to India nearly two decades after the country last hosted the event.
Held under the theme “Tropical Root & Tuber Crops for Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (ISTRTC 4 NARES)”, the symposium united the global community in a shared mission: to unlock the full potential of crops such as cassava, yam, sweet potato, taro, and other indigenous staples that anchor food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience across the tropics.
Over five days, the symposium welcomed more than 90 international delegates from 25 countries across six continents, alongside over 200 participants from India. It featured a rich blend of scientific presentations, keynote lectures, technical sessions, policy dialogues, poster exhibitions, and stakeholder roundtables—all aimed at reimagining the future of tropical agrifood systems. The conversations highlighted the urgency of strengthening diversified and climate-resilient food systems, moving away from monoculture, and harnessing every part of the plant to reduce waste and increase value.
The program was officially inaugurated on 17 November 2025 by Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences) at ICAR. In his address, Dr Singh spoke passionately about the potential of tropical root and tuber crops to address the global agrarian crisis and growing climate challenges. He described these crops as “resilience crops,” noting their ability to thrive under adverse conditions, support smallholder farmers, and contribute to nutrition and entrepreneurship in rural communities.
In his address, Prof. Lateef Sanni, President of ISTRC and Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), and IITA Program Lead for BASICS II, emphasized the centrality of tuber crops to food systems in sub-Saharan Africa, where they serve as staple foods and engines of income. He stressed the need for sustained investments in research and technology to elevate these crops and enable farmers to benefit from modern value chains.
The welcome address by Dr Ganesan Byju, President of ISRC and Director of ICAR-CTCRI, reinforced the global commitment to strengthening food and nutrition security by enhancing the production, utilization, and value addition of tropical tuber crops. The inaugural session also featured perspectives from distinguished guests including Dr Ramasamy Selvarajan, Dr Hugo Campos, Prof. Michael Abberton, Prof. Andrew Westby (OBE), and Dr Jan W. Low, each offering insights drawn from years of research, development practice, and international collaboration.
The session further recognized outstanding contributions within the tuber crop community. Dr A. N. Jyothi, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CTCRI, received the ISRC Fellow 2025 Award, while Smt. Jinimol and Dr M. Nedunchezhiyan were honored with the Dr A. Abraham Award for exceptional research papers published in the Journal of Root Crops. A special issue of the Kerala Karshakan E-Journal dedicated to tropical tuber crops was also unveiled during the event.
One of the most notable moments of the symposium was the international recognition awarded to IITA-CGIAR for its groundbreaking work in yam research. IITA researchers received the prestigious ISTRC–Pat Coursey Award for Best Yam Research, alongside Best Oral Presentation Awards won by Dr Agre Paterne and Dr Asrat Amele. These honors underscore IITA’s leadership in yam genomics, breeding, and agronomy, as well as the strong institutional support and collaborative research environment fostered across the institute.
As the symposium ended with stakeholder meetings and an institutional visit to ICAR-CTCRI, a clear message resonated through every presentation, panel, and discussion: tropical root and tuber crops are indispensable to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems. From Asia to Africa, and from research labs to smallholder fields, the collective commitment witnessed at ISTRC 2025 points to a future where agricultural innovations uplift communities, strengthen economies, and nourish a climate-challenged world.
Contributed by
Timilehin Osunde