Mysuru/Mysore: Roots and tuber crops that include potatoes, taro, cassava, sweet potatoes and yams are cultivated staple energy sources, only second to cereals. They favourably adapt to diverse soil and environmental conditions and a variety of farming systems.

As the potato, eclipsed all its other cousins, particularly in cities, the consumption of tubers got restricted to tribes. It’s time we should move beyond the potato, which is vulnerable to pests and diseases and also requires more investment and attention. Tubers are hardy and have a longer shelf-life.

Nutritionally, roots and tubers have great potential to provide economical sources of dietary energy, in the form of carbohydrates.  The energy from tubers is about one-third of that of an equivalent weight of rice or wheat due to high moisture content. 

Tubers play a significant role in food security, nutrition and climate change adaptation. It is a symbiotic association of forests and human cultures, but this is at the crossroads as forests are on the decline.  Many local communities preserve various varieties even to this day. They display a remarkable knowledge of the edible tubers that they gather or grow on the farms.

Several of these crops have been termed as being under-exploited and thus deserve more research input. In fact, they remain neglected and in this context a Roots and Tuber Mela is being organised at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry in city on Jan.11 and 12 from 10.30 am to 8 pm.

Sahaja Samrudha in collaboration with  University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, has organised this Tuber Mela to sensitise the urban community towards the benefits of tuber consumption and explore more value addition and include them into the cultivation. 

Jenu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba, Soliga, Irula tribes are participating  in the Tuber Mela along with their tuber collection. More than 25 groups are bringing different kind of tubers for display and sale. Visit the Mela and explore the wonder world of Tubers. For details contact Krishna Prasad, Director, Sahaja Samrudha on Mob: 98808-62058.

Cooking contest

Meanwhile, a cooking contest using Roots and Tubers has also been organised to introduce its nutritional value to the younger generation who have a fad for fast/junk foods. Those interested may cook dishes at home and participate in the contest organised by Mysuru Caterers on Jan. 12 at 12 noon at the Mela venue. For details call Mob: 94814-38887.