Weeds and other unwanted plants: means for food security
Mr. Mallinath Hemadi, Trainer and Consultant, National Advisory Board member, GoPals, Bangalore, discusses about weeds as a source of food supplements in India.
According to agriculture science, if there is a paddy plant in a wheat or jowar field, it is called weed. But actually only unwanted plants should be called as weed. And then we need to understand that there is no plant as such unwanted.
Farmers feel that any unwanted plant in the field is a weed. When we say farming, we include growing crops and livestock, we sow the seeds, grow them, harvest, and use them. Farming supplies produce to meet our food requirements and raw materials for industries. It is living with other living organisms.
Presently, many of us never use weeds as vegetables or food supplements but consider them as competing with the cultivated plants for nutrition. Actually the weeds support the crops. Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support to the body, and it can be animal, plants or fungi rich in essential nutrients. When we go short of the minerals, it affects our health. Now science is coming up with the theory that weeds are also a good source of all the essential minerals.
Usually, our food habits are monotonous with rice or rotis. We can get all nutrients only when we start consuming all other foods too. We often feel that weeds reduce the yield and quality of crops and interfere in the agriculture operations, poison the soil, and stop water flow and so on. That is why we opt to remove the weeds. But it is essential that we start using these weeds also. There are of course dangerous weeds too which should be removed at the right time. There are very good ones too which should be eaten in some form or the other. Weeds conserve food crops and soil which improves the yield and help in meeting food supplement. Food and shelter are provided for natural enemies of pests. The weeds also hold beneficial insects to increase the yield.
The weeds can help in important conditions of the soil such as water levels, compaction, and pH, soil type, structure, and type. Some weeds also help in knowing rain too. This will help us to take decisions on how to increase the yield. Weeds are important source of food for wildlife such as birds and honeybees. With higher number of honeybees, there will be an increase in yield. When we start using herbicides, we start losing our health too. So, it is important that we start using weeds so that we can reduce the usage of herbicides to prevent any harm to health. It has been proven that herbicides kill microorganisms and have been banned in many countries for health reasons. When we kill weeds, we lose diversity, and it leads to loss of insects and birds that rely on them. There is a reduction in biological cycle which is dangerous for survival.
Alternanthera sessilis and Tribulus terrestrisare never used by us as food, but they can be cooked like spinach or methi leaves and eaten. When we start consuming them, their presence in the field also reduces and the food requirement is also met with. Such many weeds and plants are edible. They can be boiled, cooked, and eaten. Some are said to be good for eyes, and even the power lost can be retrieved. They are also used for making oils. Many are used in traditional medicines for heart ailments and joint pains. These are some of the health benefits that we get when we use these weeds. There will be increase in job opportunities too. The leaf decoction from Bidens Pilosa is used to cure headaches and jaundice.
Commelina is another weed that can be cooked as any other leafy vegetables. We had a program in our area where we made many food items using these weeds. Everybody tasted them and liked. When we want our food to have health benefits, we can eat these weeds also to provide all the required nutrition. By doing so, we are protecting nature and fulfilling food needs too. Tinospora cordifolia (Amrutha balli) is another plant that has medicinal usage, and this can be used to make dosa and chutney, and it can be consumed with curd. This plant grows on the borders. We can reduce the burden of the government to help public to grow more food crops. The need for urea and pesticide is also reduced. People can retain the biological cycle to get healthy food. Boerhaavia diffusa (Thazhuthama / Punarnava) is said to even bring back the dead alive (means that much healthy food). It can be used in many items. We always have trouble removing the weeds, and instead of wasting money on this, we can use them in our food. Cynodont dactylon (Bermuda grass ) is used in religious rituals and can be made as tea, juice, and the herbal tea is very good for health. It improves haemoglobin, skin tone, reduces cholesterol, improves digestion, and prevents lung problem. It is sold at Rs. 140 per 100 g. So, we can understand the value.
Mimosa pudica, also known as Touch me not plant is also cooked and used like any other vegetable. Achyranthes aspera leaves can be used like any other leafy vegetable. The seeds can be cooked after dehulling, and even sweets can be made out of it. The stem is used as tooth brush. The pulp of Aegle marmelos known as bael is used raw, juiced, or pickled. This fruit is available in summer. Ziziphus oenopolia has small fruits, and it is a good fence crop. Passiflora foetida grows near the borders. This fruit is very tasty and can be made into juice. Bauhinia variegata is an ornamental plant. We can use the seeds and fruits of this plant when tender. This plant is good for soil, attracts bees and a good source of fodder for cattle. Samanea saman has fruits that taste like jaggery. Cordia obliqua has fruits that are eaten when ripe. The pulp is used s gum, and the unripe fruit is useful for picking.
Momordica is another weed, the flowers and fruits of which can be eaten when tender. Once it matures, it develops thorns which may cause allergy. Opuntia is like dragon fruit which is very tasty. Pithecellobium has seed from which oil can be extracted, and the pulp is very tasty. In pomegranate we eat the fruits only, but the leaves are very healthy and tasty when cooked and eaten. Similarly, orange peels and mango leaves can also be eaten. We can get many recipes from Google. Now scientists are trying to bring mangos without seed, but this will have serious impact on human health. The leaves and fruits of Athibalam are very healthy.
There is a pressure on cultivated food varieties as people think only such plants are consumable and grow them a lot. But we need more pesticides for growing them which is highly dangerous than atomic fallout as described by Dr. Weisner. When earth goes without worms, it will become hard and cold and nothing can be grown on that. We need to stop using fertilisers, urea and pesticides. The soil has to be enriched with the so called unwanted plants. We should create awareness among people how these plants can be used as food supplements. This will help us to reduce our expenditure on buying pesticides and fertilisers. These plants are useful for our health and to reduce carbon footprint, global warming and only a small change in our food habits will bring in many positive things.
What are the nutritional benefits of incorporating weeds in our diet, and how do they compare to traditional food sources? Can you provide examples of common weeds in India that are rich in essential nutrients and can serve as a potential food supplement?
Traditional food sources have lot of demand as we are using them in our daily lives. It was from an old lady that I got the inspiration to use the weeds in our food. I realised that there are people who eat all this. It was new information to me. All these weeds can be cooked similar to other leafy vegetables. We never try to harvest them as we do not know the importance of these plants. Now, people are asking for the seeds to grow. We have listed about 200 food properties from these plants. We can get different plants every day of the year. The number is quite large. Bermuda grass is very good in minerals. Sonchus asper (Hattarike) is very rich in calcium, proteins and vitamins. They are good for curing jaundice.
How can farmers identify and distinguish between beneficial and edible weeds and harmful, invasive ones in their fields?
It is with their experience that they can identify the good ones. People used to go to fields to collect the weeds for their leaves and stem. We have lost that culture now and we find it difficult to revive it. We need to understand how to identify them before entering into the field. Some weeds have unlikeable fragrance or leak milk which is not advisable to consume. When the plants give out good fragrance and give milk which tastes good, they can be consumed. Mangarvalli plant is very good for bones strengthening and joint pain. We can make many dishes out of it after removing the outer layer. Otherwise it causes itching.
Are there specific regions in India where certain edible weeds are more prevalent, and what factors contribute to their abundance? What cultivation practices can farmers adopt to promote the growth of beneficial weeds for food supplements?
In areas like Gulbarga in Karnataka, we find dried wells and less flora and fauna. When we go to places like Malnad, Chickmagalur and Kerala, there is huge flora because of rain and moisture. The plants grow well in moist areas. We don’t get many weeds when there is no rain. Wherever the water conditions and environment are congenial, the weeds grow more. Individually farmers cannot do it, but on a community basis it can be done. Similar to millets being promoted for consumption, the usage of wees can also be promoted among people. In Gulbarga, people bring such unwanted plants and sell them. if we don’t use them, we may lose them too. Farmers have to understand what is growing in their fields, start eating them and communicate to all about the benefits.
Any traditional or indigenous practices related to the use of weeds as food supplements that can be shared and integrated into modern farming?How can we overcome societal perceptions and encourage wider acceptance of incorporating weeds in our daily diet?
Integrated farming system in modern days, mean growing crop and animals or crop and fishery. It is actually growing whatever is available in the field and use for economic benefits. We need not sell one and get other things from outside if we learn to consume such plants too. We can conduct events to create awareness. Last year, we collected some weeds, prepared some dishes, invited people from cities to consume them. few people are working on making this staple food. People liked our preparations and are sending similar videos to us. Sharing of knowledge has increased. Right now this is on a small scale, but we can take it to better heights.
Are there any research initiatives or projects focused on exploring the nutritional potential of weeds in India? What processing methods can be employed to make the weeds consumable as food supplements? How can farmers integrate the cultivation of edible weeds into existing crop rotation system for agroforestry practices?
Many research papers are coming up. They have to be communicated in the language the farmers will understand. The job of converting the papers to make them easy for farmers to understand is going on. We can prepare them like any other vegetables. Drying is the best processing method. Farmers are growing wanted weeds to maintain flora and fauna. We should know which weeds are to be removed and when. Creeper weeds do not affect the plants. If the weeds are higher than the crop plants, they need to be removed.
Are there any regulatory considerations and guidelines that farmers should be aware of when incorporating weeds into their farming and dietary practices?In what ways can the government or Agri extension services support farmers in promoting the use of weeds as food supplements?
There are no such regulations as of now.They need to understand what weeds are available in their areas, to which extent they can be used as vegetables, and gain confidence that they can be eaten. We need to practise this. Based on research papers, we proved the weeds can be cooked and eaten not by just poor people but by all. Health benefits, food supplement support requirements etc, can be explained to the farmers and city dwellers and to use them.
There is book in kannada ‘kalegalind ahar’ has information of about 150+ plants that can be used as food. And english version is also under process.
Mallinath hemadi
9535935622
hemadimallinath@gmail.com