Beyond harvest: unlocking economic value through value addition in wild edible plants for sustainable livelihood in Arunachal Himalayas

Abstract

Modernization and urbanization have profoundly impacted the way tribal rural communities interact with forests. This study sheds light on how tribal communities are adapting to the modern market economy by processing wild edible plants (WEP) into value-added food products using traditional knowledge and whatever little finance they can afford. The study demonstrates how value addition to WEP not only increases the revenue generated by tribal vendors but also enhances the overall economic value of these underutilized botanical resources. While certain species are popular in their raw form, it is within the realm of value addition that few other species command even greater market sales. This is particularly important for lesser-known WEP species that have minimal economic value in their raw form. This highlights the untapped potential of WEP and the substantial economic contributions resulting from strategic processing and packaging. Notably, the study also identifies regional disparities in trade and revenue, with developed urban centers showing higher demand for these products. The economic implications extend beyond mere market dynamics to the very livelihoods of tribal communities, with a special focus on women who constitute 99.52% of vendors. The research brings to light the pivotal role of WEP-based value-added food products as the primary source of household income for 86% of these vendors. This economic dependence demands policy consideration not only to support the economic empowerment of tribal women but also to promote biodiversity conservation through the sustainable management of wild plant species. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.