Understanding the Mechanisms of Achieving Food and Nutritional Security through Traditional Tuber Crops Foods: A Case Study among Konyak Tribes of Nagaland, India

Authors

  • Sethuraman Sivakumar Paramasivan Senior Scientist Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695017, Kerala
  • Thirugnanavel A Scientist (Horticulture) ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Nagaland Centre, Jharnapani Medziphema-797 106, Nagaland
  • Martha Chakruno Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Pathology) Krishi Vigyan Kendra - Aboi, Mon District, Nagaland
  • Madavanpillai Anantharaman Principal Scientist & Head Extension and Social Sciences Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695017, Kerala

Keywords:

Traditional foods, Tropical tubers, Konkak tribes, Nagaland, Mechanisms of Food and nutritional security

Abstract

Tropical tuber crops play a crucial role in securing the food and nutritional security of Konyak tribes from  remote and backward region of Nagaland, India. Due to their high dry matter content, wide adaptability to soil  and climatic conditions and ability to retain quality in semi-processed form for extended storage, tuber crops  serve as “secondary staples†for Konyak community. An exploratory study was conducted among the Konyak  tribes of Mon district, Nagaland to document traditional food recipes made from tuber crops and their role in  food and nutritional security. A variety of recipes in fresh, dried and fermented forms were prepared from  leaves, petioles, tubers/ corms and cormels of tuber crops by blending them with unique localized ingredients.Results revealed that tubers were used both as cereal substitutes and vegetable substitutes during lean seasonleading to food security. Besides supplying food throughout the year in both fresh and semi-processed form,  tuber crops also helped to generate additional income for the tribes.

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Published

2015-03-26

How to Cite

Paramasivan, S. S., A, T., Chakruno, M., & Anantharaman, M. (2015). Understanding the Mechanisms of Achieving Food and Nutritional Security through Traditional Tuber Crops Foods: A Case Study among Konyak Tribes of Nagaland, India. JOURNAL OF ROOT CROPS, 40(2), 49–57. Retrieved from https://journal.isrc.in/index.php/jrc/article/view/241

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 2 (2014): Journal of Root Crops

Section

Research Articles

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