Many varieties of tuber crops on display at the two-day tuber and roots festival at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry in Mysuru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
A two-day tuber and roots festival began in the city on Saturday and growers urged the government to promote the crops for their health benefits.
M.N. Shaji, a tuber crop conservationist, said, “Tubers and roots have been part of the human diet since ancient times but it is regrettable that their consumption was on a steady decline in modern times.”
He said in a market filled with chemical-laced products and adulterants, tuber crops stand out as a natural alternative and urged the public to shift to tubers given their health benefits.
Mr. Shaji, who has a collection of over 300 varieties of tuber crops, in his native place of Wayanad in Kerala, inaugurated the festival. He said there is immense diversity in tuber crops, and it is crucial to conserve them.
The government should extend full support and assistance to tuber crop conservators and formulate plans to popularise their cultivation, he added. The two-day festival was organised by Sahaja Samrudha and Rotary Club of Mysore West at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry.
Krishnaprasad, director of Sahaja Samrudha, said, “Tuber crops are a ray of hope for farmers to cope with erratic rainfall. For farmers troubled by labour shortages and market complexities, tuber crops can be a boon, he said.
Citing the example of Odisha, Mr. Krishnaprasad said the Odisha government has allocated ₹300 crore for a program to revive forgotten foods. “Similarly, the Karnataka government should formulate a plan to popularise tuber crops and other neglected crops,” he added.
Rotary Club Mysore West president M.L. Nagesh, who presided over the festival, said, “Urban consumers should include these crops in their daily diet.” Consumers must support farmers in cultivating such healthy crops. To promote these crops, organising festivals like this is essential,” he added.
Over 50 varieties of tubers, including purple yam, creeping potato, arrowroot, tapioca, yellow sweet potato, green turmeric, black ginger, mango ginger, Suvarna gedde, etc. have attracted visitors.
On Sunday at 11 a.m., a training session on ‘Tuber Crop Cultivation and Marketing’ is scheduled for farmers. Farmers from Pobai Greens in Assam will share their experiences in the cultivation of tuber crops. In addition, information on value addition and marketing opportunities for tuber crops will also be provided.
Published – February 08, 2025 07:14 pm IST