<span style="color: #222222;">World Tribal Day was celebrated in several districts including Dhule and Nashik in Maharashtra today. To mark this day, a 'Vegetable Festival' cum exhibition was organized by the state government's agriculture department in both the districts.<br />''<br />''While inaugurating a Vegetable Festival cum exhibition in Dhule district, MLA from Sakri, Manjula Gavit said that the State Government's Vegetable Festival initiative is commendable and exemplary. She said tribals have always remained attached to nature and it is reflected in their food culture as well. She added that this vegetable festival will introduce a new tribal food culture in the state.<br />''<br />''The festival received a good response from Sakri taluka and a total of 46 types of legumes were presented at the festival.  Gavit said that the tribal people know the importance of legumes which help boost the immune system and therefore, they are always included in their diet. Speaking at another Vegetable festival cum exhibition in Nashik, State agriculture minister Dada Bhuse also emphasised on the importance of legumes. <br />''<br />''He said legumes are rich in protein, nutrients and vitamins and can definitely be used as an immunity booster, and said that the Balasaheb Thackeray Smart Farmers Scheme will promote organic farming through group farming and farmer production companies so that farmers can brand their produce themselves. He said a right market will be made available in the cities by providing permanent space for the sale of these legumes. Bhuse also said that under this scheme, godowns, storage and cold storage will also be made available.</span><br />