Gothrajyothi meet brings together 300 Adivasi farmers in Wayanad

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) and ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), organised Gothrajyothi, a stakeholder partnership meet for Adivasi farmers, at Puthoorvayal in Wayanad on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

Against the backdrop of climate change and declining crop productivity, which have made the livelihoods of Adivasi farmers increasingly precarious, the event brought together more than 300 farmers, agricultural scientists, government officials, civil society organisations, and policymakers. It aimed to create a platform for integrating the traditional knowledge of Adivasi farmers with modern science to improve livelihood security.

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique inaugurated the event.

Challenges

Farmers and scientists highlighted several challenges facing agriculture in Keralam, including declining crop yields, a shrinking area under cultivation, the impacts of climate change, young people’s reluctance to take up farming, and human-wildlife conflict. C. Thamban, area director of MSSRF Keralam, emphasised the importance of combining modern scientific research with traditional knowledge to address these challenges.

Under the Tribal Sub Plan initiatives of ICAR-CTCRI and ICAR-IISR, technical sessions were held to help farmers improve their cultivation practices for tuber crops and spices, respectively. Agricultural implements, bioinputs and planting materials were also distributed to Adivasi farmers.

New publications by ICAR-IISR on cardamom cultivation and by MSSRF on pepper cultivation, human-wildlife conflict and seed festivals were released at the event. The two institutions also signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on spice research and development.