(Commonwealth_India) Rice fields across India are home to a diverse range of wild, edible plants that Indigenous communities deeply value for both their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, this unique diversity of plants, often dismissed as “weeds,” is rapidly disappearing due to various modern agricultural practices and changing land uses. In response to this threat, a growing number of individuals and organizations are making efforts to document and preserve the rich array of wild edibles that thrive in these environments, in hopes of revitalizing them for future generations.
One of the notable initiatives is being led by Sreedevi Lakshmikutty, the co-founder of Bio Basics, an organic brand that supports the preservation of heritage grains. Lakshmikutty has partnered with Shruti Tharayil, the creator of the Instagram account “Forgotten Greens,” to create awareness about the importance of wild foraged greens in traditional diets. Together, they have developed a series of simple recipes that pair these wild greens with indigenous rice varieties, which are also becoming increasingly rare. Through their work, they hope to bring attention to the preservation of both the wild plants and traditional rice varieties that have long been an essential part of the local food systems.
Lakshmikutty explains that both wild edibles and indigenous rice varieties require greater recognition and acceptance. She stresses the importance of these foods in sustaining biodiversity and combating the adverse impacts of climate change. While organic farming avoids the use of chemicals and pesticides, the weeding process still removes wild plants from rice fields, further contributing to the decline of these valuable species. The goal of their work is to encourage people to embrace these foods without requiring a drastic change in their diets, showing that the incorporation of wild edibles can be a natural and sustainable addition to their meals.
Wild plants in rice fields are not only an essential food source but also play significant roles in traditional medicine. Many Indigenous communities in India rely on these plants for medicinal purposes, using them to treat a wide range of ailments. For example, in the Wayanad district of Kerala, communities use at least 95 species of wild plants found in and around rice fields. These plants serve various functions, from curing common illnesses like fever and cough to alleviating more serious conditions like stomach pain. Researchers from the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have talked about how important these plants are for keeping food and medicine secure in the area, especially for Indigenous communities that know how to find and use these wild foods in their traditional ways.
Despite the value of these plants, scientific studies on their diversity and uses remain rare. According to a 2021 review published by the Centre for Studies in Ethnobiology, Biodiversity, and Sustainability (CEiBa), while there is an abundance of research documenting the animal diversity in rice fields, little attention has been given to the floral diversity that also plays a crucial role in local food cultures. Avik Ray, co-founder and director of CEiBa, points out that the wild flora in rice fields is being lost due to harmful agricultural practices such as the indiscriminate use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides. These practices not only reduce biodiversity but also harm the overall health of the rice fields, disrupting the delicate ecosystem that sustains both crops and wild plants.
In addition to chemical inputs, land-use changes are contributing to the decline of rice field flora. As farmers shift from cultivating rice to more commercially profitable crops like bananas and areca nuts, the land that was once home to diverse plant species is being altered. This shift impacts not only the ecosystem but also the livelihoods of Indigenous communities, many of whom depend on rice fields for their work as agricultural laborers and foraging grounds.
In response to these challenges, various initiatives are emerging in India to raise awareness about the value of wild foraged greens. These initiatives seek to rekindle interest in the traditional knowledge of wild edibles, encouraging people to incorporate them into their diets and restore the ecological balance of rice fields. By documenting and promoting the diversity of wild plants, these efforts aim to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from the nutritional, medicinal, and cultural value these plants provide.
Through a combination of grassroots efforts, scientific research, and cultural revitalization, there is hope that the rich diversity of wild edible plants in India’s rice fields can be preserved and celebrated. With continued collaboration between Indigenous communities, researchers, and organizations, it may be possible to protect these invaluable resources and safeguard them for the future.
