Planning for Food Security Using Roots and Tubers as Functional Foods in Nigeria: A Review | Chapter 3 | Emerging Challenges in Agriculture and Food Science Vol. 2

 The worldwide food crisis poses a serious threat to world peace and security, hence this study focuses on food security planning in Nigeria using roots and tubers as functional foods. Root and tuber crops as staple foods have the potential to adapt to a wide range of soil and environmental circumstances, and they may all be replicated through the vegetative propagation process. Because the potential utility of these roots and tubers is being examined, this assessment is required. Roots and tubers are important parts of the human diet, and they are widely grown and consumed as staple foods in Nigeria. The most important roots and tubers in Nigeria are cassava (Manihot esculentus Crantz), yam (Dioscorea spp), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir), potato (Solanum spp), and edible aroids (Colocasia spp and Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott). These crops hold a lot of promise because they are diverse and bring variety to the human diet. They also offer a wide range of medical benefits. Cassava (Manihot esculentus Crantz), yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir, D. bulbifera L., D. Cayenensis Lam, D. alata Linn, D. Dumentorium Pax and D. esculenta (Lour.) Burk), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir), potato (Solanum tuberosome Linn), and edible aroid These plants, which give a variety of benefits to people, are in peril as a result of population growth, urbanisation, and changing food preferences. They haven't been fully utilised in terms of nutrition and health. These plants have been discovered to have significant nutritional content and have been utilised for various medical purposes in the past. More attention should be paid to these beneficial plants in terms of production, preservation, and consumption, as this will aid Nigerians in improving their food security.

Author(S) Details

Aniama Salome Ojone
Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria.

K. A. Oricha
Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Owa Dele Frank
Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria.

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