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 Khadyotsav in Jajpur on Monday.

The event was organised by Tata Steel's Sukinda Chromite Mine in Jajpur 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 nearby Nagada village 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.

Chefs from star hotels of Bhubaneswar interacted with the participants and checked the feasibility of adopting some of the delicacies in their menu. Sukinda MLA Preeti Ranjan Gharai said programmes like these would go a long way in promoting the cause of biodiversity and help preserve the dying ethnic and tribal food habits of Odisha.