Combating Food Insecurity and Climate Change With Indigenous Tubers

Combating Food Insecurity and Climate Change With Indigenous Tubers

Shaji NM spent over 20 years traversing India to amass his collection of over 200 varieties of tuber, some of which are on the verge of extinction. Tubers, long a staple of Indian cooking, resist climate change by becoming dormant during drought or flood and “resuming tuber growth during favorable conditions,” according to a 2018 paper that deems them “very important for food security.” “I have developed an emotional relationship with the tuber,” said Shaji. “When we did not have anything to eat, we had tubers.” Now he’s returning the favor by giving tuber seeds “to anyone who wants them.” (Source: The Guardian)