Cooking Contest on Feb. 7

Mysore/Mysuru: Roots and tubers are the underground secret treasures of nature which have many vitamins and minerals. Root vegetables are low in calories and high in antioxidants.

Roots and tuber crops that include potatoes, taro, cassava, sweet potatoes, 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.

Tubers play a significant role in food security, nutrition and climate change adaptation. It is a symbiotic association of forests and human cultures.  Several of these crops have been termed as being under-exploited and thus deserve more research input. In this context, a ‘Tuber Mela’ has been organised on Feb. 6 and 7 at Nanjaraja Bahadhur Choultry in city from 10.30 am to 8 pm, by Sahaja Samrudha in collaboration with  Rotary Club of Mysore West.

 The focus of this Mela is 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, Kunabi tribes are participating in the Tuber Mela. More than 25 groups are bringing different kind of tubers, food items and value added products for display and sale. 

Rare roots and tubers like air potato, purple yam, black turmeric, and arrow root seed material will be available for sale. 

Cooking with Tubers: Roots and Tubers Cooking Contest has also been organised on Feb. 7 to introduce its nutritional value to the younger generation.

The Mela will be inaugurated by Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar. Rotary West President Rtn. Raghavendra Prasad will preside. 

N.M. Shaji of Kedaram Tuber Conservation at Wayanad will be the chief guest, who will be displaying 120 varieties of tubers including rare varieties recovered by the tribals from the deep forest. 

For details, contact Deepak on Mob: 9986623073.