ICAR–SBI, Coimbatore Launches Tribal Training Campaign and DAPSTC Project in Tiruppur District

4 March 2026, Coimbatore

A Tribal Training Campaign and launch of the DAPSTC (Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribe Component) project in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu was organised by ICAR – Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, in association with Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Tiruppur Division, at Chinnar in Tiruppur district on March 4, 2026.

Inaugurating the programme, Shri V. Thirunavukkarasu, IFS, Principal, Central Academy for State Forest Service, Coimbatore, underscored that health and education are the cornerstones of tribal empowerment. He lauded ICAR-SBI for initiating the campaign, which began with songs by members of the tribal community and the administration of a ‘pledge against malnutrition’. He urged residents of the seven tribal settlements adopted by the Institute in ATR to work towards eliminating malnutrition among women and children and to utilise the training initiatives to enhance their knowledge and improve their quality of life.

In his Presidential address, Dr P. Govindaraj, Director, ICAR-SBI, highlighted the progress achieved under the DAPSTC project since 2021. Recalling a challenging visit to the remote Aattumalai settlement , with the DAPSTC team  for  needs assessment, he commended the tribal farmers for sustaining agriculture in the region, under difficult conditions. He also cited the successful millet-based entrepreneurship initiatives implemented in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and encouraged beneficiaries in ATR to make effective use of the support extended by the Institute.

Earlier, the experts from DAPSTC project, explained that the Institute conducts need-based training campaigns and distributes inputs aimed at holistic tribal development. Seven settlements—Aattumalai, Porupparu, Manjampatti, Karumutti, Karattupathy, Thippipparai and Poochakottampaarai—inhabited by the Mudhuvar and Malasar tribes, have been adopted under the project. Referring to the success of the ‘Kaani’ tribe in establishing Tamil Nadu’s first tribal start-up for processing and marketing organic produce such as pepper, he encouraged participants to explore entrepreneurship opportunities.

Shri B. Rajesh, Deputy Director, ATR, stressed the importance of discouraging underage marriages, as highlighted in the malnutrition pledge, and assured ATR’s continued support for the project. Tribal leaders (Moopans) Shri Kanniyappan and Shri Silan expressed satisfaction over the initiative’s focus on knowledge enhancement and economic development.

Training sessions on millet value addition and entrepreneurship development were conducted by Prof. Saraswathy Eswaran, while Dr. G. V. Rajalingam spoke on establishing nutrition gardens and cultivating ginger and pepper in hilly regions.

Other senior officials from ICAR-SBI and Tamil Nadu Forest Department interacted with participants during the sessions. A documentary titled “Empowering Tribals… Transforming Lives” was screened on the occasion.

As part of the campaign, beneficiaries received power tillers, irrigation pipes, farm tools, household items, kitchen garden kits, pearl millet and green manure seeds, and areca seedlings, among others.

(Source: ICAR – Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore)