Editorial 2: Aiming for an era of ‘biohappiness’ in India

Context

Using natural resources carefully — like bringing back traditional and forgotten foods — can help improve our health and overall well-being.

Introduction

During a recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, we were pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of green vegetablesincluded in daily meals — all freshly picked from nearby forests and fields.

• In many rural and tribal regions of India, people still grow and consume a rich range of millets, beans, pulses, tubers, wild fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
• These nutritious foods are often unknown or forgotten in urban diets today.

For instance, the Nyishi and Apatani tribes in Arunachal Pradesh have deep knowledge about the health benefits and medicinal uses of these local plants. However, a senior government official expressed concern that:

• The rich variety of local crops (agrobiodiversity) in northeast India is disappearing fast.
• This mirrors a global trend of species extinction.
• Along with it, traditional knowledge — including how to cook and use these foods for health — may also be dying out at the same speed.
• In short, there's a real risk that both biodiversity and ancient wisdom may vanish if not preserved soon.

India’s Rich Biodiversity

• India has only 2% of the world’s land area but is home to nearly 8% of global biodiversity.
• It is one of 17 “megadiverse” countries globally.
• India includes parts of 4 out of 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
• It is also one of just 8 global centres of food-crop diversity.
• Natural services from India’s forests are worth over ₹130 trillion per year.
• Rural livelihoods heavily depend on these local ecosystems.

Threats to Biodiversity and Development

• India is facing a steady loss of natural resources, which:
  • Reduces GDP.
  • Slows sustainable development.
• The value and potential of biodiversity to improve human life remains largely untapped.

Global Food System Over-Reliance

• The world depends mainly on three crops:
  • Rice, Wheat, and Maize.
• These provide over 50% of the world’s plant-based calories.
• This over-dependence causes:
  • Nutritional imbalances.
  • Higher risk to climate-related shocks.
  • Inequity in distribution of agricultural benefits.
  • Rising non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)

• India has long ignored traditional, locally grown crops such as:
  • Small millets, buckwheat, amaranth
  • Jackfruit, yams, tubers
  • Indigenous legumes
• These crops are classified as NUS (Neglected and Underutilized Species).

NUS: From “Orphan” to “Opportunity Crops”

Orphan Crops, Traditional Wisdom & Local Revival

1. Orphan Crops and Local Culture

• Orphan crops (now also called opportunity crops) are part of local food traditions.
• These crops reflect cultural identity, ecological wisdom, and community knowledge.
• Case Study: Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu
  • Located in the Eastern Ghats, Kolli Hills farmers traditionally grew millets suited to local conditions.
  • Over the last 30 years, many shifted to cash crops like:
    • Cassava, coffee, and pepper.
  • This shift caused a decline in crop diversity (agrobiodiversity).

2. MSSRF's Community-Based Intervention

• The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has worked in the region for over 20 years.
• Their efforts include:
  • Participatory research with farmers.
  • Empowering women and farmer groups.
  • Documenting traditional knowledge.
  • Improving soil health and crop diversity.
  • Supporting local processing and value addition.
  • Leading to higher incomes and ecological sustainability.

3. National Missions, Millets, and the Future of Food

• As part of the International Year of Millets (UN) and Shree Anna Yojana, India adopted a national plan.
• Key focus areas:
  • Boosting production and consumption.
  • Enhancing exports and value chains.
  • Branding, awareness of health benefits, and nutrition campaigns.
• State Millet Missions: Odisha Example
  • Several Indian states have launched Millet Missions.
  • In Koraput district (Odisha): Collaboration with Odisha Millet Mission supports millet farming from seed to plate.
• While national attention is mostly on ragi (finger millet), jowar (sorghum), and bajra (pearl millet):
  • The next step is to include minor millets in:         
    • State schemes
    • The Public Distribution System (PDS)

Why Orphan Crops Matter for the Future

The Evergreen Vision for Future Food Systems

• Over 50 years ago, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan imagined an Evergreen Revolution:
  • Not based on chemicals and yield alone.
  • But based on ecological balance and nutrition security.
• Bringing back forgotten foods also means:
  • Reviving cultural identity.
  • Using traditional knowledge to face the climate crisis.
  • Ensuring better food for people, planet, and future generations.

Conclusion

A new wave of biodiversity science is emerging globally, and India is well-positioned to benefit, thanks to its strong human resources and scientific infrastructure. This evolving, interdisciplinary science holds the key to addressing some of India's most urgent challenges — from the sustainable use of biodiversity in agriculture, food production, and nutrition, to tackling climate change, disaster risks, and promoting a bio-economy that supports livelihoods for 1.4 billion people. With the right focus, India has the potential to become a global leader in the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, improving both public health and human well-being. Perhaps, as envisioned by M.S. Swaminathan, we can now aspire to an era of "Biohappiness" — where ecological richness and human prosperity go hand in hand.