Reviving Agrobiodiversity for Nutrition & Climate Resilience

Syllabus Areas:

GS III - Environment

During a recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh, officials observed the rich diversity of traditional greens, millets, legumes, tubers, and wild fruits in the diet of rural and tribal communities—foods largely unknown to urban India.

However, experts warned of the rapid erosion of agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge in Northeast India, reflecting a global trend of species extinction and cultural loss.

Importance of India’s Biodiversity

  • India occupies 2% of global land area but harbours ~8% of global biodiversity.
  • One of 17 ‘megadiverse’ countries and home to 4 of 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
  • One of 8 global centres of food-crop diversity.
  • Natural ecosystem services from India’s forests are valued at ₹130 trillion/year and sustain rural livelihoods.
  • Declining natural assets reduce GDP growth and hinder sustainable development.

The Agrobiodiversity Crisis

  • Global food systems dominated by rice, wheat, maize → supply >50% of plant-based calories.
  • Leads to:
    • Nutritional imbalance
    • Rising NCDs like diabetes, obesity
    • Climate vulnerability due to monocultures
  • Loss of traditional crops → Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), also called Orphan Crops.
  • These crops are nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, locally adapted—now being called Opportunity Crops.

 Traditional Knowledge & Community Practices

  • Nyishi and Apatani tribes: Deep knowledge of nutritional and medicinal properties of wild and cultivated plants.
  • Orphan crops embedded in local cultural identity, culinary traditions, and ecological wisdom.
  • Example: Kolli Hills (Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu)
    • Shift from local millets to cash crops (cassava, coffee, pepper) over 3 decades → decline in agrobiodiversity.
    • S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF): Worked for 20+ years to restore millet diversity, empower women farmers, improve soil health, diversify crops, and enhance income.
  • Example: Koraput District (Odisha)
    • Collaboration with Odisha Millet Mission: Seed-to-consumption revival of millets.
    • Focus so far mainly on ragi, jowar, bajra; need to expand to minor millets and include in PDS.

Government Initiatives

  • International Year of Millets (2023) – India’s action plan focused on:
    • Production & productivity increase
    • Value chain strengthening
    • Branding & marketing
    • Awareness of health benefits
    • Promotion of exports
  • Shree Anna Yojana – National millet promotion scheme.
  • State Millet Missions – Local revival programs in multiple states.
Reviving Agrobiodiversity for Nutrition & Climate Resilience

Towards Sustainable Food & Nutrition Security

  • Vision of M.S. Swaminathan: Evergreen Revolution – agricultural intensification with ecological balance and nutrition security.
  • India’s unique position:
    • Rich human resources
    • Strong scientific infrastructure
    • Potential to lead new interdisciplinary biodiversity science integrating:
      • Agriculture & food production
      • Health & nutrition
      • Climate change mitigation
      • Disaster risk reduction
      • Bio-economy & job creation
    • Concept of “Biohappiness” – well-being derived from conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Wayforward:

India’s food future must be diverse, local, and regenerative. Reviving traditional crops like millets, yams, legumes, and wild greens can:

  • Enhance nutrition security
  • Strengthen climate resilience
  • Preserve cultural identity and traditional knowledge
  • Support rural livelihoods and ecological balance

To achieve this, policy must:

  • Integrate minor millets and NUS into PDS and mid-day meal schemes.
  • Support community-led biodiversity revival.
  • Leverage scientific research for crop improvement without eroding local knowledge.
  • Build value chains and markets for diverse, indigenous foods.

If pursued seriously, India can emerge as a global leader in biodiversity-based sustainable food systems, achieving not just food security, but nutrition security, ecological resilience, and “Biohappiness” for all.

Prelims Questions:

1. India is home to which of the following global biodiversity categories?
  1. One of the 17 megadiverse countries
  2. Sections of four global biodiversity hotspots
  3. One of the eight global centres of food-crop diversity
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
2. The term “Biohappiness”, sometimes seen in the context of sustainable development, refers to:
  1. The increase in GDP through biotechnology exports
  2. Well-being derived from conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
  3. Happiness index based on biological age
  4. A UN programme on biodiversity-linked tourism
3. With reference to Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), consider the following statements:
  1. They are also called Opportunity Crops because they are nutrient-dense and climate-resilient.
  2. They are mainly high-yielding hybrid varieties promoted under the Green Revolution.
  3. Many NUS are locally adapted and embedded in indigenous food cultures.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3