Wild Edible Plants as Alternate Food Sources and Agents of Food Security

In some societies, some traditional foods from wild plants might be considered to be of no or low commercial value, hence their collection is mostly meant for local consumption. Women, children, and herders play important roles during collection of wild edible plants and can therefore be considered as important custodians of such knowledge. Families in many underdeveloped nations that are struggling economically have historically relied on wild edible plants (WEPs) as a primary source of nutrition. Numerous studies have shown the impact of social economic and climatic problems on indigenous peoples’ use of wild foods, highlighting the significance of WEPs for indigenous peoples’ food production. WEPs are seen as a symbol of a healthy ecology in industrialized nations, especially in Europe. Many ethnobotanical studies have shown the critical role that wild edibles play in preventing starvation, drought, and death in nations all over the globe, even those in the developed world. Researchers haven’t looked into the tribal communities that live along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Hindu Kush mountainous area to record the rich traditional information they have regarding WEPs, despite the fact that these communities are well renowned for their distinctive traditional food system. Wild edible fruits development and research might help alleviate the increasing issue of food insecurity in developing nations caused by both rising populations and inadequate agricultural output.