Wild food plants ignored due to lack of awareness: Dr Sen
A lecture on the theme ‘Climate finance for food loss and waste reduction’ was held to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW), a day dedicated to highlighting the critical global issues of food waste and food insecurity. It underscored the urgent need for sustainable solutions to tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change and food security.
Dr Tara Devi Sen, Head of Botany Department at Government Vallabh College, Mandi, asserted that the wastage of wild food plants had remained largely unaddressed till now.
Dr Tara said historically, wild food plants were an essential part of traditional diets and medicinal practices, especially among tribal and rural communities. However, urbanisation and modernisation have diminished their significance. Today, many people lack the knowledge to identify or utilise these plants, often considering them mere weeds, she said.
Dr Tara said that rich in nutrients and often surpassing cultivated crops in protein, vitamins and minerals, these plants could enhance dietary diversity and improve overall nutrition”.
According to Dr Tara, in Himachal Pradesh, a region with diverse wild edible plants, the neglect of these resources was particularly disheartening. Wild fruits, leaves, and herbs, such as bamboo shoots and prickly pear cactus, have high market value and global demand, but they were often wasted due to lack of awareness and commercial viability, she stressed.
By transforming these plants into marketable products, communities could reduce wastage while creating economic opportunities. Empowering self-help groups (SHGs) and local entrepreneurs through training can unlock the potential of wild food plants,” she said.
