Wild edibles in school diets

NATIVE edible plants are making their way to schools through a new scheme proposed by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB).

- ASWIN ASOK KUMAR @ T'Puram

NATIVE edible plants are making their way to schools through a new scheme proposed by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB). Titled 'Wild Edible Plant Gardens in Schools', the project will see selected schools developing a garden to study the indigenous plants and to incorporate edible wild plants into the school diet. Plants like spiny spinach, sissoo spinach, spade leaf, taro, etc. will be cultivated in schools. However, only traditional crops that are validated by the current knowledge system will be incorporated into the diet, whereas the rest will be used for research and awareness purposes.