THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Johnson Mathew, a native of Thiruvambadi, Kozhikode, with his sweet win through Tapioca. The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute has certified that this tapioca is different from the 22 varieties popular in Kerala. The variety 'Manna' has been registered with the Plant Diversity Conservation and Farmers' Rights Authority. Johnson has received a patent as the protector of the crop. Manna also holds the distinction of being the first tuber variety to be registered as a farmer's own variety in the country. It was confirmed that this variety does not exist anywhere else after studying the qualities of the variety for six years under the supervision of Dr. G. Baiju, Director of the Tuber Crops Research Centre. The research, which was started by scientist Dr. M.M. Sheela,

See Full Page