Mangaluru: Mangaluru will host a state-level exhibition showcasing various tuber, turnip and leafy vegetables for the first time. The event has been organised by Savayava Krishika Grahaka Balaga, Sri Saraswati Charitable Trust and Keshava Smriti Samvardhana Samiti.
The event, titled Kanda Moola, aims to highlight the health benefits of these vegetables and encourage farmers to cultivate them. It is scheduled to be held at Sanghaniketan, Mannagudda, on Jan 4 and 5 next year.
K Ratnakar Kulai, organising secretary from the Savayava Krishika Grahaka Balaga, said that in addition to farmers from various parts of Karnataka, the event will also witness the participation of enthusiasts from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other states.
“It is an effort to introduce various tuber, turnip, and leafy vegetables, highlighting their health benefits to the people of Mangaluru. Besides the exhibition and sale, there will be special sessions for students on tubers, their health benefits and value addition. We are in touch with farmers who are growing tuber, turnip, and leaf vegetables in Karnataka and other states. We have been inviting farmers by visiting their houses and ensuring their participation in the programme,” Kulai said.
“Shaji NM from Wayanad, who grows over 200 varieties of tubers, also agreed to participate. He will be showcasing selected tubers during the exhibition,” he said, adding that resource persons with knowledge of the health benefits of tubers will participate in the interactive sessions.
Separate counters will be set up at the exhibition venue to introduce various food varieties prepared using tuber, turnip and leafy vegetables, he said. “We have also planned to hold Ele Arivu, a programme to create awareness of various leaves, grasses and plants, at Sri Bharati Sabhabhavana, Nanthoor, on Nov 10 as a preparatory event. Information on leafy vegetables, food varieties that can be made and their ayurvedic medicinal properties will be shared with the younger generation during the programme,” he said.
A committee has already been formed with Prof MB Puranik as honorary president and former additional deputy commissioner Prabhakar Sharma as the president, he added.
