Market Potential of Muli [Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz] Bamboo Shoots and its Traditional Recipes in Tripura

The present paper reports on market potential of Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz - one of the highly exploited edible bamboo species in Tripura. M. baccifera is popularly called Muli bamboo by the common people of the state and known as Owathai to the tribal communities. Market demand of young Muli shoots are worked out through market survey and is found highly relevant with income generation M economically poor tribal and other rural communities of this region. Traditional food items and the variety of recipe preparation using bamboo shoots are recorded. Present study highlights the potential of young Muli bamboo shoots as a source of healthy and delicious diet to the tribal and rural communities of Tripura.