ICTRT 2013
The tropical root and tuber crops (cassava, sweet potato, yams, aroids and other minor tuber crops) are food and nutritional crops with adaptation to marginal environments. They form important staple and are major source of energy especially in developing countries with rapid population expansion. These crops are expected to contribute significantly to the socio economic security of the people in the tropics in the coming decades particularly under the changing climate.
Tuber crops are also medicinally important and preferred as health foods due to the presence of neutraceuticals and antioxidants. Besides, there is immense scope for commercial exploitation in food, feed and industrial sectors. Presently opportunities for production of biofuels from these crops, especially cassava, are being explored. However, low productivity, limited value addition and poor access to markets due to their perishable nature are some of the issues that are still to be addressed. Since all tropical root crops are vegetatively propagated and certification is not common, systemic diseases are also problematic. Some of these crops remain under exploited and deserve considerably more research input.
The present conference will provide a platform to address and discuss the recent developments in the production, utilization and marketing of roots and tubers in the context of global climate change and formulate strategies and collaborative action plan to exploit the potential and contribute to development.
