Root and tuber crops play a vital role in achieving food and nutritional security of about 500 million people in the tropical and subtropical countries. Tuber crops support the existence of myriads of processors at small scale and large levels as well as traders all around the world. They are projected to remain as an important component in the global food system. Adaptation to marginal environment and agro ecological conditions, flexibility in integrated farming system, ability to produce more dietary energy per unit area and stability of production make roots and tubers superior to other food crops. Human activities during recent years are altering green house gas concentrations in the atmosphere and causing climate change that has an important influence on tuber crops. Potential of these crops is now being realized in the context of erratic climate, environmental pollution, shrinking natural resource base and decreasing per capita land availability in our country. In view of the above, the theme of the seminar assumes greater significance.
A strong R&D base has been instrumental for the host of viable technologies which have played a great role in the present productivity status of most of the tubers. However, many problems of various dimensions remain waiting for appropriate solutions. Root and tubers are not economically competitive to many crops. Continuous cultivation has lead to depletion of essential elements and there was a decline in area under tuber crops over decades. Lack of efforts for area expansion, lack of strong supportive systems and schemes are some of the impediments faced by tuber crops. The proposed seminar is expected to provide a common platform for interaction and exchange of ideas among the researchers, processors, entrepreneurs, NGO’s and progressive farmers. It will review the present status of R&D efforts in root and tuber crops and its effective adoption/diffusion to the clientele groups, identify integrated and coordinated research programmes for optimal use of natural resources, formulate strategies for better utilization of scientific and technical man power with special reference to the global issues of climate change.
A strong R&D base has been instrumental for the host of viable technologies which have played a great role in the present productivity status of most of the tubers. However, many problems of various dimensions remain waiting for appropriate solutions. Root and tubers are not economically competitive to many crops. Continuous cultivation has lead to depletion of essential elements and there was a decline in area under tuber crops over decades. Lack of efforts for area expansion, lack of strong supportive systems and schemes are some of the impediments faced by tuber crops. The proposed seminar is expected to provide a common platform for interaction and exchange of ideas among the researchers, processors, entrepreneurs, NGO’s and progressive farmers. It will review the present status of R&D efforts in root and tuber crops and its effective adoption/diffusion to the clientele groups, identify integrated and coordinated research programmes for optimal use of natural resources, formulate strategies for better utilization of scientific and technical man power with special reference to the global issues of climate change.