The program on food is aimed to diversify uses of rootcrops as food and to improve forms, packaging and shelf life of processed food products from rootcrops. The Program will benefit wide area, as food is a basic need. However, farms close to urban centers are expected to benefit most. Migration towards urban area is continuing at an accelerating pace. Many of these urban dwellers have limited or no capacity for food production, thus creating a big demand. Access to a large urban market provides peri-urban farms significant advantage over areas from urban centers.

Surveys and pilot market indicated large demand for rootcrops in urban areas in fresh and processed forms. With well-organized supply base, and improvement in product quality and shelf life, such demands present an enormous opportunity for the rootcrops industry.