Roots and Tuber Mela at Mysuru brings greater attention to ensure Nutritional security

Krishi Jagran and Agriculture World is honoured to have participated in the Grand Function of the Tuber Mela at Mysuru on Feb6-7. It was a great honour for the Editor, Agriculture World, Dr Lakshmi Unnithan to be personally present among the Honourable Custodian to the Royal House of Mysore, Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadeyar, N.M. Shaji, Dr Arun Kumar Bavidoddi, Sri Imam Saheba Jatta and the President Rotary Club Mysore, Rotarian Dr Raghvendra Prasad M.D. 

The calendar on Forgotten Foods by Sahaja Seeds, was released by the Editor, Agriculture World Dr Lakshmi Unnithan". Sahaja Samrudha has been publishing theme-based calendars over the past 10 years. The Calendar has a wealth of information on alternative foods reckoned to be rich in vitamins that are vital during the current pandemic times. 

There were at least 120 tubers from the Kedaram Conservation Centre for Tubers from  Wayanad, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot showcased tubers and roots on which it is conducting research. There were around 25 groups of Tribal Farmers from surrounding areas of Karnataka who brought in their Indigenous varieties of Roots and Tubers. Among the Exhibits was a 98 kg tuber cultivated by farmer Pandurang Ram Gwada from Joida, Uttara Kannada. There was the much cherished Purple Yam, Green turmeric, Black turmeric.  

Around 113 million people in 53 countries worldwide faced severe food insecurity in 2018, finds a report released by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), an initiative of food security and development institutions, UN agencies, and the EU. With the current pandemic Enhancing agricultural productivity through Food Security Crops and indigenous and neglected food systems is a priority for boosting immunity.  Roots and Tubers are also powerful tools to end hunger and poverty to an extent.

Roots and Tubers play a significant role in food security, nutrition, and climate change adaptation. They would also help in improving the economic growth of the nation and also would enhance environmental sustainability. We Sincerely hope the Tuber Mela will help sensitize urban communities towards the benefits of tuber consumption and exploring more value addition possibilities and thereby encouraging their cultivation. Such Melas are definitely an eye-opener in reviving the lost indigenous knowledge systems.