Meghalaya's Forgotten Vegetables Spotlighted for a Resilient Diet

Meghalaya Monitor has published a piece drawing attention to a range of traditional vegetables that have slipped out of mainstream consumption in Meghalaya and nearby regions. The article catalogs several locally grown leafy greens, tubers and herbs that were once common in household kitchens but are now rarely seen in markets.

The report argues that re‑integrating these forgotten crops can enhance dietary resilience, offering diverse micronutrients and adapting well to the state's hilly terrain and monsoon climate. Their low input requirements and natural resistance to pests make them suitable for smallholder farmers seeking sustainable options.

By promoting these vegetables, the article suggests a dual benefit: improving nutrition for consumers while providing farmers with alternative, climate‑smart crops. It calls for awareness campaigns, inclusion in school meals and support from agricultural extension services to revive their cultivation.

While focused on Meghalaya, the story notes that similar under‑utilised crops exist across other Indian states, presenting an opportunity to broaden the nation's food basket and reduce reliance on a narrow set of staple foods.