Part 7/12:

Revival of Ancient and Indigenous Crops

In response to these challenges, farmers and researchers are revisiting crops from the past, which offer promising advantages:

• Nutritional Superiority: Ancient grains often have higher nutrient profiles. For instance, riceberry, a hybrid of traditional purple rice and jasmine rice developed in Thailand, is rich in iron and resistant to heat. Such grains can combat malnutrition issues like iron deficiency anemia.

• Environmental Resilience: Indigenous crops like millet and ancient rice varieties are often better adapted to drought, heat, and poor soil conditions. They require less water and chemicals, making them ideal candidates for sustainable farming under climate stresses.