TUBER-BASED RAINBOW DIET
1. Context
The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) is gearing up to extend its tuber crop-based ‘rainbow diet’ campaign to more areas in the country with sizeable tribal populations
The campaign aims to promote biofortified tubers and value-added products made from them to combat malnutrition and ensure a balanced diet. In the current fiscal year, the campaign will be launched in Odisha, targeting nine districts with large tribal populations
2. What are Tuber crops?
- Tuber crops are plants that produce edible underground storage structures called tubers
- Root and tuber crops consist of root crops, such as beets and carrots, and tuber crops, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, and the leaves of root crops, such as beet tops
- A typical ‘rainbow diet’ is a meal plan comprising different-coloured fresh fruits and vegetables
- The colours in these natural foods are caused by specific phytonutrients
- With its tuber crop-based rainbow diet, the CTCRI is popularising the orange-fleshed sweet potato (rich in beta-carotene), the purple-fleshed sweet potato, and purple-fleshed yam (rich in anthocyanin)
- The ‘rainbow diet’ campaign was launched in Attappadi in Kerala’s Palakkad district. On the occasion, the institute unveiled a ‘Tuber Crops Rainbow Diet Plate’ featuring biofortified sweet potato, cassava, and also millets
3. ICAR- Central tuber crops research institute
Over the years, the CTCRI has developed numerous improved tuber varieties that have since found acceptance with the farming community.
Biofortified tubers were low-cost, natural solutions for promoting health, and wellness in tribal communities
- The CTCRI has previously introduced biofortified sweet potato varieties in Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.
- The institute has also unveiled a “Tuber Crops Rainbow Diet Plate” featuring biofortified sweet potato, cassava, and millets.
- The CTCRI’s efforts aim to develop improved tuber varieties and explore tuber-millet combinations for nutritious value-added products.
Source: the Hindu
