By Rukhsana Rumi from Netrakona:
An exhibition and discussion on the nutritional and medicinal values of uncultivated food plants was organized in Mouzebali village of Netrakona Sadar Upazila. The programme was organized by the Phulpakhi Adolescent Girls’ Organization and Rakhal Bondhu Farmers’ Organization, with support from BARCIK and the Green Coalition.
Nutritionist Dr. Mosammat Altaf-Un-Nahar, Director of BARTAN Netrakona, attended as the chief guest and speaker. BARCIK official Rukhsana Rumi, retired teacher Md. Abdul Barek of Laxmiganj High School, and local women, men, adolescents and youth also participated in the event.
Women collected uncultivated plants growing around homesteads, along field boundaries, on fallow land and beside roads. These included gima, golsanchi, kalmi, helencha, jhanjhana, gandapuiya, bathua, baral, fig, mint, thankuni, telakuchha, sunshuni, kalokachu, wild taro, shantishak, red taro, hatishur, kumari duga, tunatuni shak, keourali, shaluk, bitter eggplant, tree potato and banana blossom, among others. In total, 29 varieties were displayed.
Dr. Altaf-Un-Nahar said that many nutritious and medicinal plants are naturally available around us but are gradually disappearing because of human activities. She advised participants to wash vegetables before cutting them and not discard the water after boiling, as important nutrients may otherwise be lost.
Participants said that increasing dependence on chemically produced food has caused people to overlook the nutritious and pesticide-free foods available in nature. They said such exhibitions help to preserve local knowledge and introduce younger generations to traditional food plants.
The program concluded with awards for participants, including environment friendly bamboo kula and dala as prizes.