Bhubaneswar: At least 50 near extinct indigenous collections of paddy, 21 varieties of raggi, two types of foxtail millet and 41 varieties of plant parts used for medicinal purposes were showcased at the second edition of the 'Khadyotsav' in Jajpur district.
The event organised by Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) of Tata Steel in Jajpur district was held on December 18. It witnessed an array of agro-food diversities among different ethnic and tribal groups of the region and other parts of the state.
On the occasion, successful vegetable farmers of the nearby village Nagada were also felicitated and given agricultural implements.
An exhibition of more than 80 varieties of ethnic and age old traditional and tribal food was set up. There were 30 varieties of traditional cake called 'Pitha' (in local parlance), 10 types of rice, 25 types of curry, 35 types of roots, tubers and many more which the tribals have been using for ages.
Exotic items like black carpenter, ant chutney, bamboo shoot pickle, country chicken khichdi, cakes made of mahul flower, and others were also a big hit among the visitors attending the exhibition.
Experienced chefs of star hotels of Bhubaneswar interacted with the participants and checked feasibility of adopting some of the delicacies in their menu. Around 200 tribal women had displayed their dishes in 30 stalls.
Sukinda MLA Preeti Ranjan Gharai said that programmes like these will go a long way in promoting the cause of biodiversity and helping in preserving the dying ethnic and tribal food habits of Odisha.