Analysis of Global and National scenario of tuber crops production: Trends and prospects

This paper attempts to explore the status of tuber crops cultivation with regard to area, production and productivity across countries and exports of cassava and sweet potatoes from India. The result indicated that among various tuber crops, potatoes were vastly cultivated and consumed by Europe and Asia. At the same time, cassava and sweet potatoes were generally grown and consumed by Africa and Asia. In India, cassava and sweet potatoes are the most important tuber crops due to their large scale and varied uses. The growth rate analysis showed that the area under cassava (-1.38 percent) and sweet potatoes (-0.70 percent) as a whole showed a declining trend in India due to various agro-climatic conditions and socioeconomic constraints. In the context of climate change and considering the importance of root and tuber crops for food and nutritional security, it would be a smart move to bring more area under tuber crops cultivation to achieve ‘self-reliance’ and ‘Make in India Mission.