Forest Produce & Food Security

Mahua flowers and other foods obtained from the forest are very nutritious. Therefore, it is appropriate to include these foods in PDS or mid-day meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

Locally available Mahua forest food has the highest protein content.

— AbhiLL Ipsa

The most nutritious forest foods are Kolyar Bhaji, Mokha Ki Bhaji, Segwa, etc.

— Kachala Choudhary

Nutritious food found in the forest: Mudhi saga, Chhati saga, Bhadbhadia saga, Koila saga, Munga saga, Ghumi saga, Tartha saga.

— Parsuram Sa · Sundargarh, Odisha

We get our nutritious diet from the forest, such as Mahua fruit Doli oil in the form of fat, Kodo, Bhaddi, Kulthia, Mahua flowers, Jamun, Mahua kheer, Bhaji, etc.

— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

To include forest-based foods like Mahua ladoo, Char ladoo, Phuljhi, etc., in PDS and midday meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

If forest foods like Char, Mahua, Kendu, Mango, and Jam are added to PDS and mid-day meals, consumers will get nutritious food.

— RINA BEHERA · Sundargarh, Odisha

Kantola vegetable, which is very nutritious, is found in the forest of our village. It should be included and promoted in nutritional diets.

— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Among forest products, Mahua is also a nutritious food. It would be good if the government utilizes this Mahua in various ways and provides it in school mid-day meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

Forest produce fruits found in the forest like Kendu, Char, and Mahula contain abundant nutritious food. It would be good to include them in students' mid-day meals.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Forest fruits like Kendu, Char, and Mahul, found in the forest, contain abundant nutritious food. It would be good to include them in the mid-day meals of students.

— DASHARATH SINGH · Jamunkira, Sambalpur, Odisha

The forest contains nutritious foods like Pitalu, Baya, Tunga, Water Yam, Elephant Foot Yam, Bitter Ginari greens, Putukuli, Honey, Amla, Bahada, and Kendu. The government should consider adding some of these to the PDS (Public Distribution System).

— Prasanna Pradhan · Mayurbhanj, Odisha

Forest-produced fruits like Kendu, Char, and Mahula, found in the forest, contain a large amount of nutritious food. It would be excellent to include these in students' midday meals.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Mahua is found in the forest, it is a very vitamin-rich food, it would be good to give this to children.

— Laxmi Bagh · Subdega, Sundargarh, Odisha

Nutritious diet from the forest: seasonal fruits, jamun, mahua, mango, charoli, jaggery, peanuts, and Shegaon vegetables.

— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Including ladoos made from Mahua, a food found in our forests, in the school's mid-day meal will be nutritious for children.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

I am Manjula Mainat. Including forest food in the midday meal for the children of Jalukua Complex promotes their physical and mental development. Forest food includes custard apple, Indian gooseberry, lamb's quarters, etc.

— narayanlalbaranda5@gmail.com · Jhapa, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

Include forest-based food items such as Mahua laddoo, Chaar laddoo, Fuljhi, etc., in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and mid-day meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

Tungemasha, potatoes, and Panikonda are all found in the forest. If Panikonda is included in PDS and mid-day meals, then children will remain healthy by getting nutritious food.

— Basanti · Dashapalla, Nayagarh, Odisha

Including food items like mahua ladoo made from mahua found in our forests in the school's midday meal can provide nutritious food to children.

— Anjana Khadia · Subdega, Sundargarh, Odisha

From the forest, we collect ruguda mushrooms, mudhi saag, kuiler saag, girel flowers, bhindua kadi, and so on. If all these are nutritious foods for us, they should be included in the midday meal.

— RINA BEHERA · Hemagiri, Sundargarh, Odisha

The Mahua from our forest is very rich in vitamins and is given to children as food for their nourishment.

— Gitanjali Bhoi · Sundargarh, Odisha

Including Mahula laddus made from Mahula found in our forests in school's midday meals can provide nutritious food to children.

— Anjana Khadia · Subdega, Sundargarh, Odisha

In our forest, mushrooms, ruguda, karadi, and giril flowers are found. These should be served in mid-day meals at PDS schools.

— RINA BEHERA · Sundargarh, Odisha

It would be good if all the nutritious foods found in the forest such as Lepherasā, Kachar sāg, Gukurijīv sāg, Kaḍī, Heḍuā, Chhati, Ruguḍā are added to the Mid-Day Meal PDS.

— RINA BEHERA · Hemagiri, Sundargarh, Odisha

Forest fruits like Kendu, Char, and Mahul, found in the forest, are rich in nutrition. It would be beneficial to include them in students' midday meals.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

The aquatic plants, tubers, mushrooms, and all other forest products found in the forest are nutritious food. Therefore, if we can add this food to PDS and school mid-day meals, it would be very good.

— Sushama Digal · Dashapalla, Nayagarh, Odisha

Local forest produce like Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, Mahula contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods from the forest should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, we do not include packaged food and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Forest products such as Jharakunduru, Pitalu Konda, and various other types of edible forest produce are available. These also serve as food for animals and birds, and consuming them provides nourishment.

— Anirudha Marai

Local forest produce like Kendu, Chaar, Jamukoli, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school midday meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, we do not provide packaged food and market/shop items to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

The forest tribal food for the people, particularly the Madia's tiffin, provides truly vital and abundant nutrition for children as well.

— Padmini Bhoi

If we talk about the most nutritious food, if the government provides our forest products like Mahul, Char, and Kendu as food in MDM (Mid-Day Meal), then children will eat it and become intelligent.

— Priti majhi

In the forest, there are many types of food, such as various nutritious tubers (kandha), which can be given during midday meals in schools and also protect against various diseases.

— Deepanjali Nayak

Local forest produce, specifically Madia (finger millet), contains maximum nutrients and vitamins, which are beneficial for mental and physical health. The state government will include it in the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) program in the coming days.

— Santosh Barik · Kalahandi, Odisha