In another step towards food security, Odisha has been included in the international programme for Roots & Tuber Crops (RTC) initiated by the International Potato Centre (known by its Spanish acronym CIP). A two-day project planning meeting of the programme was inaugurated by chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik here on Wednesday. Around 40 agricultural scientists and experts from the CIP’s Regional Programme for South West & Central Asia, various agricultural research institutes of Odisha and some leading voluntary organisations have joined the meeting to discuss target sites and preliminary cropping study on RTC in the state. The project seeks to achieve food security on a sustained basis through scientific research on potato, sweet potato and other root crops. The chief secretary advised the authorities to put in adequate extension machinery for convincing farmers about the utility of tuber crops and providing them handholding support for cultivation and marketing. Quality planting materials developed through research should be multiplied in large numbers to meet the requirement of farmers, Patnaik pointed out. Present on the occasion, ST and SC development secretary Santosh Sarangi said that the RTC crops are important food and nutrition sources for tribal people. It has been decided that the programme would be carried on through joint partnership between OTELP and CIP-SWCA. In the first phase, Ganjam and Koraput districts have been identified for the purpose. It has also been decided that collaborative work plans covering assessment and action components would be developed for implementation of the programme. Among others Regional Leader, CIP-SWCA Dr Dindo Campilan and Director, OTELP Suasant Nanda participated in deliberations. Sources said India is one among 15 countries of South West and Central Asia where the programme is being implemented. Other countries in this region are Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Georgia, Nepal, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Odisha and Meghalaya are the two states in the Indian subcontinent identified for the programme. The programme is being supported by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).