Commercial cultivation of Koorka (കൂർക്ക) — also known as Chinese Potato — has officially gained momentum across Kerala’s key districts including Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Ernakulam. Koorka is a crop with exceptionally high market demand, yet Kerala’s current production falls 30–40% short of meeting that demand.
Despite sufficient farmland, fertilizers, and water, yields have remained disappointingly low. The solution, however, may already be here — thanks to a specially formulated micronutrient mixture developed by the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, that has shown a proven 12.79% increase in Koorka production during field trials in Tamil Nadu.
Koorka (Chinese Potato / കൂർക്ക) holds a strong position in Kerala’s vegetable market, with demand consistently outpacing supply. Yet, despite the availability of agricultural resources, farmers have struggled to significantly improve output. The gap between demand and supply currently stands at 30 to 40 percent, indicating a serious need for targeted agronomic interventions.
⚠️ Did You Know? The current Koorka (കൂർക്ക) production in Kerala is 30–40% less than the demand. Even with existing farmland, fertilizers, and water, there has been no significant change in productivity — until now.
The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), located at Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, has formulated a specialized micronutrient mixture designed to increase the productivity and quality of the Koorka (കൂർക്ക) tuber.
In field trials conducted in Tamil Nadu, this mixture achieved a remarkable 12.79% increase in production. The mixture is specifically designed for foliar application — meaning it is sprayed directly onto the Koorka leaves rather than applied to the soil.
This technology has already been transferred to an intermediary institution and can also be taken up by entrepreneurs in Kerala who wish to scale up Koorka cultivation commercially.
Applying this micronutrient mixture correctly is essential to achieve the best results. Follow these specific guidelines as recommended by CTCRI:
Dissolve 5 ml of the micronutrient mixture per 1 liter of water for foliar spray.
Spray on Koorka leaves on the 45th day after planting.
Repeat the spray on the 75th day after planting.
This mixture is formulated specifically for spraying on leaves (foliar application only).
✅ Tip for Entrepreneurs: This CTCRI technology has been transferred to an intermediary institution and is available for entrepreneurs in Kerala to adopt commercially. This presents a significant opportunity to close the 30–40% supply gap in the Koorka (കൂർക്ക) market.
The micronutrient mixture has been rigorously tested. Here’s a quick summary of the trial outcomes and what this technology means for Koorka (കൂർക്ക) farmers:
Farmers, entrepreneurs, and agricultural institutions interested in adopting this micronutrient technology for Koorka (കൂർക്ക) cultivation can contact the following:
🏛️ Central Tuber Crops Research Centre (CTCRI)
📍 Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
📱 Phone: 9447158546
