Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDI)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (BDCOD)

Contractor:
Natural Resources Institute (NRI)

Project Code: 149-500-047	Start Date: 25-Nov-88	End Date: 31/10/1995
Commitment: £400,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Objectives:
To strengthen the research, technical, economic, survey and extension capabilities of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) and to improve the professional expertise of the Institute's staff through training visits, including the application of international experience to Indian conditions.

To help in the development of technology for the improved utilisation of root and tuber crops for diversified uses in food, feed and industry.

To assess, survey, design and develop systems and methodologies for reducing post-harvest losses and improve quality of root crops which will benefit small-scale producers, urban/rural consumers and industrialists in India.

Intended Outputs:
Defined and characterised cassava starch and other structural polymers with regard to root textural acceptability and to commercial cassava starch uses.

Developed, tested and optimised small-scale animal feeding technologies, eg root crop silages, in conjunction with farmers.

The nutritional impact of cassava cyanide minimised by studying cyanogenic glucoside synthesis and breakdown in different cassava tissues from low and high cyanide cultivars during cassava drying and processing.

Optimised cassava drying and storage procedures and extended root storage life by designing and developing new drying, loss control methods and packaging systems in collaboration with equipment manufacturing sector

Post-harvest physiology and qualities of cassava, sweet potato, tannia and other root crops, studied in order to find ways of reducing losses and improving consumer acceptability.

Appropriate survey methodologies and questionnaires prepared for collection of primary data on the current and projected use and roles of root crops in Southern India.

Collaboration with extension organisatons in determining methods of disseminating information based on findings from research conducted under above objectives.