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.

References

Aprianita, A., Purwandari, U., Watson, B. and Vasiljevic, T. 2009. Physico-chemical properties of flours and starches from selected commercial tubers available in Australia. International: Food Res J, 16, 507- 520.

Bellisle F, Drewnowski A, Anderson GH, Westerterp-Plantenga M, Martin CK. 2012. Sweetness, satiation, and satiety. J Nutr. 142(6):1149S-54S

Bhan, S. 2009. A case study on the shifting cultivation practices in Mon district of Nagaland. J Soil Water Conserv., 8(2): 8-13.

Devi, P. and Kumar, S. 2010. Traditional, ethnic and fermented foods of different tribes of Manipur. Indian J Tradit Know, 11(1): 70-77.

Edmunds, H. 1999. The focus group research handbook. Chicago: NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group.

Grace, M. R. 1977. Cassava processing. FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No. 3. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Jamir, N.S., Takatemjen, and Limasemba. 2008. Traditional knowledge of Lotha-Naga tribes in Wokha district, Nagaland, Indian J Tradit Know, 9(1): 45-48.

Kuhleinin, H.V. 2009. Why are Indigenous Peoples’ food systems important and why do they need documentation? In: Indigenous peoples’ food systems: the many dimensions of culture, diversity and environment for nutrition and health. Kuhnlein H.V, Erasmus, B, & Spigelski, D (Eds.). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment. pp. 1-7.

Kuhnlein, H. V., and Receveur, O., 1996. Dietary change and traditional food systems of Indigenous peoples. Annu. Rev. Nutr., 16: 417.442.

Mangathayaru, K. 2013. Pharmacognosy: An Indian perspective. New Delhi; Pearson Education India.

Nagaland Pollution Control Board. 2014. State of environment in Nagaland 2005. Available in: http://www.teriin.org/div/moe_nagaland.pdf.

National Informatics Centre 2014. Mon District. Available at: http://mon.nic.in/people.htm.

Office of Quality Improvement. 2013. Focus groups: a guide to learning the needs of those we serve. Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Schuster, R.C., Wein, E.E., Dickson, C., and Chan, H.M. 2011. Importance of traditional foods for the food security of two First Nations communities in the Yukon, Canada. Int J Circumpolar Health, 70(3): 286-300.

Singh, A., Singh, R.K., and Sureja, A.. 2007. Cultural significance and diversities of ethnic foods of Northeast India. Indian J Tradit Know, 6(1): 79-94.

World Food Progremme, 2009. Comprehensive food security and vulnerability assessment. Rome: United Nations World Food Programme.

Downloads

Additional Files

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://ojs338.isrc.in/index.php/jrc/article/view/241

Issue

Section

Research Articles