Enhancing Adaptability and Water Productivity in Tropical Tuber Crops: Food Security and Climate Change Perspectives

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Authors

  • Archana Mukherjee
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • J. Sreekumar
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • Sheela Immanuel
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • M. R. Sahoo
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • M. Nedunchezhiyan
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • P. S. Sivakumar
     Formerly in ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram-695017, Kerala ,IN
  • M. Dasgupta
     Department of Molecular Biology & Bio-technology, Institute of Agriculture, SOA University, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha ,IN

Keywords:

Tuber crops, Nutritional value, Climate adaptation, Crop production Water resources, Utilization.

Abstract

After cereals and pulses the tuber crops become the third important food crops which provide food and nutrition security to a vast human population numbering more than 500 million people in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Cassava and sweet potato rank among the top ten food crops of the developing countries and contribute to about 6 per cent of the global dietary calories. The tuber crops are grown in varied agro-ecological conditions and can adapt to vulnerable agro-climatic conditions. In India these tuber crops are grown in States like, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Northeastern States covering an area of about 4.5 per cent area of vegetable farming and contribute to at least 5.7 per cent of vegetable production. Rural folk in India rely on these tuber crops for stable yield and high food value. Many of these tubers are drought tolerant and can reverse soil degradation. Since water is scarce and necessary for crop cultivation this resource needs to be carefully utilized for tuber cultivation. Recent studies indicate water productivity in cassava 8.3 kg/m3, in sweet potato 3.0 kg/m3, and in elephant foot yam 2.5 kg/m3 respectively. Further, other resources like land, soil and genetic varieties need to be managed in a well coordinated manner in changing climate for tuber cultivation.

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2024-10-24

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Volume 21, Issue 1, June 2024

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Articles

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