Tuber and Greens Fair in Mangaluru Draws Enthusiastic Response with Record-Breaking Exhibits

Tuber and Greens Fair in Mangaluru Draws Enthusiastic Response with Record-Breaking Exhibits

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 5, 2025: At the Tuber and Greens Fair (Gadde, Genasu, and Soppina Mela) organized by the Organic Farmers Consumer Forum on Saturday and Sunday at Sangha Niketan in Mangaluru, prominent Guinness and Limca record-holding tuber farmers participated with their collections of giant tubers on Saturday. Farmers from the Kudubi community in Joida showcased the "Moodli" variety of tubers, while a team of farmers from Kerala exhibited an impressive collection of tubers, which became a highlight of the fair.

Shaji N.M., known as the "Tuber Man of India," and an awardee of the 2021 Government of India Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, displayed his collection of approximately 300 varieties of tubers, grains, and seeds.

Guinness and Limca record-holder farmer Riji Joseph participated with around 100 varieties of tubers he cultivated. Known for growing the largest cassava leaf (Guinness record) and giant turmeric roots (Limca record), his collection included massive golden tubers, vines, and woody tubers, which were key attractions at the event.

Agricultural expert Shri Padre remarked that the fair received a tremendous response. Farmers from Joida and other regions exchanged information about their tuber varieties, fostering knowledge-sharing efforts. Over 370 varieties of tubers and more than 100 types of greens were exhibited at the fair.

Farmers from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala showcased a diverse range of crops, including varieties of turmeric, ginger, arrowroot, medicinal tubers, cassava, yam, purple yam, woody yams, sweet yams, vine potatoes, black turmeric, wild yams, thorny yams, golden tubers, cassava, yellow and red sweet yam seeds, organic tuber saplings, sabja seeds, coriander, amaranthus, spinach, local basale, eggplant, navadhanya seeds, and honey, making the fair unique and vibrant.

A greens farming training program was also organized. An informational handbook on tuber and greens cultivation was released at the event. The sale of vegetable saplings, seeds, freshly fried snacks, and delicacies prepared from tubers drew significant crowds.

The fair received an excellent response from the public, expressed S.A. Prabhakar Sharma, President of the Organic Consumer Forum, and K. Ratnakar Kulai, Secretary, who were highly satisfied with the event.