Tropical Tuber Crops: Future Foods for Nutrition, Health and Wellness

Abstract

Transitioning from the 'food of the poor' to globally recognized future-smart foods, tropical tuber crops (TTCs) like cassava, sweet potato, and yams are reshaping Indian horticulture. Contributing over ₹130 billion annually, these climate-resilient powerhouses secure the livelihoods of 200 million people, including vital tribal and marginal farming communities. Breakthrough biofortified varieties such as beta-carotene-rich Bhu Sona and antioxidant-heavy Bhu Krishna are tackling hidden hunger head-on. By merging low-input, drought-tolerant cultivation with advanced processing for gluten-free, low-glycemic, and industrial bioeconomic applications, TTCs offer an indispensable blueprint for sustainable national health and climate-resilient agricultural growth.