Are you rooting for tubers?

Conceptualised in 2023, the Rooting for Tubers festivals are community-driven spaces to build excitement and understanding about tuber crops.

The festival is currently building its third edition in December 2024.

Join Us!

February 2024 at Bangalore International Centre

500 + Curious Consumers & a Yele Oota Lunch for 200 people

The event attracted over 500 enthusiastic attendees, keen to learn and engage with tuber crops through a conference, yele oota, and film screenings.

Brought together by chefs Nayantara Bagla and Karan Upmanyu, along with Spudnik Farms' community partners in Joida, the lunch featured over 25 traditional and innovative dishes, including more than 10 tuber-based dishes, representing the diverse landscapes of tuber-growing communities.

Celebrated with community members from 5 states in India

Various communities from across India participated, setting up stalls and taking part in panel discussions and conversations. The participating communities included:

Joida Community & Kali FPO, Karnataka, showcasing tubers from Joida alongside other indigenous produce from the Western Ghats.
Grassroot Shillong, Meghalaya, highlighting the tuber Shaplong and their work with communities from an Indigenous Rights and Gender perspective.
Seven Sisters North East Store, Bangalore, presenting tubers and indigenous ingredients from the North East.
Varavukada, a Kerala chips shop, showcasing a variety of tuber chips.
Maati Farms, Odisha, displaying their purple and orange sweet potato products.
Nikesh Asem, a chef from Manipur, presenting native tubers.

45 Tuber Varieties on Display

Food system collective, Edible Issues, showcased their project “Roots to Resilience”, a collaborative exploration and exhibition of tuber crops—a testament to their resilience, untold stories, and the vibrant communities that cultivate them. The project featured cyanotype artwork by artist Priya Mani, video-documented recipes by artist Sanskriti Bist, and a display of over 45 tuber varieties brought together by all participating communities from across India.

Five short films were screened: Informative films that enriched attendees' understanding of tuber crops, offering insights into the ecological settings and the communities that grow these tubers.

Building with academics and researchers:

Through the conference, discussions, and stalls, several academic and research institutions contributed valuable insights, showcasing tuber varieties and innovations they were developing to advance the dialogue on tuber crops.

ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Trivandrum
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
Welcomgroup School of Hospitality Administration, Manipal University

March 2023 at The Courtyard, Bangalore

The first Rooting for Tubers Festival launched our unique Residency programme, aimed at promoting the biodiversity and culinary potential of indigenous tuber crops grown by the Kunbi tribe in Joida, Western Ghats. Over multiple phases, five chefs visited Joida, experimented with local produce, and culminated their experience in a public event in Bangalore, featuring a yele oota (banana leaf) meal.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Our festival thrives on the support and collaboration of dedicated community partners who share our passion for sustainable farming and indigenous crops. Together, we’re fostering a deeper connection between local farming traditions and urban food cultures.