Tuber crop variety to be commercialised; 'Jamuni' yam all set to battle cancer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Jamuni', a yam containing anthocyanin pigment that can prevent cancer and diabetes, will soon hit the market. It will be purple in colour and is also said to be good for the heart.

The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute in Sreekariyam developed this. It is being converted into value-added products by a startup company called 'Sputnik Farms' in Bengaluru. The MoU was signed. Dr G. Baiju, Director, Tuber Research Institute, handed over the MoU to Sumeet Kaur, CEO, Sputnik Farms.

The new variety with medicinal properties was developed by cross-breeding a yam found in the forests of Kerala. A team of scientists, including Dr Saravanan Raju, Dr A. Asha Devi, Dr P. Sethuraman Sivakumar, Dr K. M. Senthilkumar, and Dr C. Pradeepika are behind the development.

This is the first time that the research centre is issuing a commercialisation license for a tuber crop variety. The license is for Rs. 5.90 lakh.

Jamuni will be brought to the farmers of the tribal community of Karnataka, and its cultivation will be expanded. After harvesting, it will be purchased from them and converted into value-added products.

• The cultivation period is 7-8 months. 1.5 to 2 kg of tubers can be obtained from one plant

• Suitable for commercial cultivation. Taste is also excellent