Indian arid zone miracle plants for food and livelihood security

Abstract

Developing countries are being encouraged to diversify their food exports by developing new products and adding more value to existing products. Adding value to and diversifying food exports depends not only on changing production but also processing system. The traditional Indian arid fruits are very rich in nutritional parameters and a variety of by products can also be prepared from them. As consumers today are increasingly conscious of health and nutrition, there is a tendency to avoid chemicals and synthetic foods, thereby choosing natural foods. In this context, underutilized fruits have unlimited potential in fresh and processed form for their therapeutic, medicinal and nutritive values. A number of species are already being used and marketed as antioxidants, staple food, food supplements and sources of condiments, spices, thickening agents, flavours, edible oil, etc. Some of the underutilized fruits and nuts are rich sources of vitamin C, proteins and Vitamin A. They contain pectin and celluloses, which stimulate the intestinal activity and protect human body against diseases. Value of underutilized fruits in traditional medicines is well known as a major source of raw materials for drugs since antiquity. In India, the fruits of Emblica officinalis (aonla), Terminalia chebulla (harar) and Terminalia bellerica (bahera) are the most common, entering into 219 patented drugs.