Mysuru:The two-day annual Roots and Tuber Mela organised by the city’s Sahaja Samrudha, in association with Using Diversity, began at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry on Vinoba Road here this morning.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. K.V. Rajendra inaugurated the Mela by slicing a Tuber .
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajendra said, people looked at a variety of tablets for vitamins when the COVID pandemic broke out three years ago. But Tubers and Roots grown naturally are found to be rich in nutrients and vitamins, he said.
Noting that Roots and Tuber crops that include Potatoes, Taro, Cassava, Sweet Potatoes, Yams etc., are cultivated staple energy sources and are only second to cereals, the DC said they favourably adapt to diverse soil and environmental conditions and a variety of farming systems.
Continuing, Dr. Rajendra said that Tubers play a significant role in food security and nutrition and as such, the Mela is a very valuable one for the people.
Maintaining that he was surprised to learn that there are over 200 varieties of Tubers that are on display at the Mela, he said that the District Administration will render all necessary help and support for the cause of Roots and Tuber growers.
Stating that the District Administration has planned setting up of Roots and Tuber Growers Association with participation of Sahaja Samrudha and farmer groups, the DC said that the membership fee for farmers would be Rs.1,000, which the District Administration has planned to borne it out of CSR funds.
Asserting that the District Administration will make all efforts to find appropriate markets for Roots, Tubers and all other products made out of them, he said that the help of NABARD too will be sought to explore markets and good prices and also to encourage organic farming.
Dr. Rajendra released a 2023 calendar brought out by Sahaja Samrudha that carries pictures of varieties of Roots and Tubers on the occasion. Also, a Purple Cake made exclusively out of Roots and Tubers was cut, marking the inauguration.
Sahaja Samrudha Director G. Krishna Prasad, Seema Prasad, N.M. Shaji of Kerala, who has brought 200 tubers for display, Seed Conservator Parvati, Writer and Food Expert Ratna Rajaiah and others were present.
The Mela has over 25 stalls selling different varieties of Tubers and Roots, rare Colombian Tuber Yacon Beans, Purple Yam brought by Jenukuruba women groups of Nagarahole, Multi-colour Sweet Potatoes etc., a variety of dishes made out of Roots and Tubers, saplings and seeds, Ice-creams etc.
The event also features a ‘Roots and Tubers Cooking Contest’ at 12 noon tomorrow (Feb. 12) and the winners will be given prizes.
The two-day Mela, which concludes tomorrow, will be open from 10.30 am to 8 pm on both the days.
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Two-day Roots and Tuber Mela begins in city
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Two-Day Roots And Tuber Mela Begins In City
February 11, 2023
Mysuru:The two-day annual Roots and Tuber Mela organised by the city’s Sahaja Samrudha, in association with Using Diversity, began at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry on Vinoba Road here this morning.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. K.V. Rajendra inaugurated the Mela by slicing a Tuber .
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rajendra said, people looked at a variety of tablets for vitamins when the COVID pandemic broke out three years ago. But Tubers and Roots grown naturally are found to be rich in nutrients and vitamins, he said.
Two-day Roots and Tuber Mela begins in city
Noting that Roots and Tuber crops that include Potatoes, Taro, Cassava, Sweet Potatoes, Yams etc., are cultivated staple energy sources and are only second to cereals, the DC said they favourably adapt to diverse soil and environmental conditions and a variety of farming systems.
Continuing, Dr. Rajendra said that Tubers play a significant role in food security and nutrition and as such, the Mela is a very valuable one for the people”
This DC seems to be an expert on everything and hence his prattle. He need not have to preach people about Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Yams as traditional meals include the, But of course the so called moderrn Mysoreans-mostly IT Techie coolies, my fellow coolies who do cheap IT work, go for fast food thinking it is a fashion they should adapt!
Years ago, Potatoes , sweet potatoes and yams, would be at best rs5 per Kg even in the Devaraja Market vegetable stalls-a row of them was selling purely these vegetables along with cauliflower and onions. This row was a special place to buy these root vegetables, and the shops were clean.
They were doing a roaring business as they were not available-like sweet potatoes and Yams in the street markets,, which sprung upm when Mysore city was massively expanding. Finally, these root vegetables disappeared for a time. Those whom wanted them had to go to the Russell Market in Bangalore to buy them .
I wonder what their costs are now, per kg? With the INR as valueless as a waste paper, they must be selling for 50/60/even 80 Rupees per kg?