Keri: The diversity and richness of Goa’s tuber crops were showcased for the first time at a biodiversity festival in Bhuipal, Sattari.At Kalmachi Vhali, Suryakant Shankar Gaonkar from Bhuipal and Datta Shambhu Naik from Priol displayed over 80 tuber varieties collected from across Goa at an eco-friendly mandap organised by the Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade of Keri-Sattari.
Chief guest Balkrishna Gawade, botany professor and researcher, told TOI that Goa and the Konkan region are known for diverse tubers used as food “since the hoary past”. He said they are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and help build immunity. Tuber crops, he added, support nutritional security, farmer prosperity and sustainable growth.Varieties such as Dioscorea alata (chini), Dioscorea bulbifera (karande), Colocasia esculenta (alu), Dioscorea pentaphyla (dukkar kand) and other varities were were displayed.
