Exploring hidden potentials of wild edible plants by SAVITA, KUNDA, VINOD

Q1. What is the evidence that domesticating the wild edible plants actually works?

Answer: Man has been domesticating wild edible plants ever since it started Agriculture about 8000 years ago and more aggressively since last 5000 years. The vegetable that we eat today have been domesticated at various stages. Even today in countries like India and Bangaladesh, Momordica dioica (Kartoli), species of Amaranthus (Rajgira), Sesbania grandiflora (Hathga), Colocasia (Alu) species, Curry leaves, lemon grass many more initially sourced from wild are being cultivated and marketed all over the year. Similarly we could quote examples of fruits, like Carissa carandus (Karvand), Embilica officinalis (Amala), species of Ziziphus (Ber), Musa species (Banana) etc. are commercially cultivated.  

Q2. What can be learned from the methods indigenous peoples have used to survive on wild edible plants?

Answer: The indigenous people have been using wild edible plants since centuries and an account of experience of using those plants by different methods they are come up with methodologist which make the wild plant parts fit for human consumption. To illustrate, during our study we were informed by the local tribal’s that they eat Dioscoria bublifera (Kadukand) only after soaking it in water overnight. Similarly tribal’s recommend the consumption of some of the plants in the season of their appearance for example Celosia argentea. To fulfill the various needs indigenous people adopt different methods, the examples are as below,

Methods Adopted - Examples (only few are quoted here)

Direct consumption - Carissa carandus (Karvand), Embilica officinalis (Amala)

To add flavor to recipes - Use of Curry and Coriander Leaves while recipe preparation

Medicinal Purpose - Preparation of soup using Argyreia nervosa (Samudrasos) leaves, use of Momordica dioica (Kartoli) fruits as regular vegetable, raw consumption of fruits of Sizygium cumini (Jamun) as they have antidiabetic potential

To Fulfill Food & Nutrition Demand - Use of Amaranthus species (leaves), Argyeria nervosa -Samudrasos  (leaves) Dioscorea- (Kadukand) (Aerial tubers) to fulfill the need of Iron, Dioscorea (Kadukand)- (underground tubers) to get dietary Calcium, leaves of Celosia (Kurdu), Hibiscus cannabinus -Ambadi and  Aerial tubers of Dioscorea for  getting Vit. C.

Q3. How can we enable access to wild edible plants in remote areas while ensuring environmental sustainability?

Answer: The tribals and forest dwellers are using very few wild edible plants out of those available in their neighborhood. Extensive survey and phytochemical analysis for their nutritional and anti nutritional values followed by preparation of tasty recipes shall give them exposure to such plants and they may start using them. Once such plants become a part of the daily diet, also simultaneously agro techniques shall be develop for those plants on private lands, thus the plants growing in wild shall be conserved. In pilot study the authors have develop agro technique for Argyreia nervosa (Samudrasos) which not only edible plant but also have medicinal value. It is reported for its anti diabetic, anticancer properties.