Indigenous Crops for Better Nutrition in Bangladesh

In a remote village of Satkhira, an elderly farmer named Hamida Bibi gently plucks deep green amaranth leaves at dawn. “My mother taught me this plant cures weakness,” she smiles. But her grandchildren? They’ve never tasted it.

Across Bangladesh, indigenous crops like amaranth, millet, and drumstick   once staples in local diets are quietly vanishing from fields and plates. At the same time, Bangladesh faces a triple burden of malnutrition: under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and obesity. According to FAO, over 40% of women and children in Bangladesh suffer from anemia, while climate-resilient crops lie ignored.

This blog explores the forgotten nutritional power of indigenous crops in Bangladesh, why reviving them matters now more than ever, and how policy, innovation, and people’s stories can shape a more resilient future.

What Are Indigenous Crops in Bangladesh and Why Do They Matter?

Indigenous crops are plant varieties native to a region, traditionally grown and adapted to local climate, soil, and culture. In Bangladesh, these include amaranth (data shak), millet (bajra/kodo), drumstick (sojne), kangkong, pumpkin leaves, taro, and country beans.

They matter because they are:

• Nutrient-rich: High in vitamins, iron, calcium, and fiber
• Climate-resilient: Drought, flood, and salinity tolerant
• Culturally rooted: Linked to ancestral food traditions
• Low-input: Require fewer pesticides, synthetic fertilizers
• Biodiversity boosters: Protect agro-ecosystem diversity

Yet, due to Green Revolution staples, market preferences, and urbanization, these crops have become “poor people’s food”, leading to their neglect in policies and plates.

What Is the Nutritional Value of Amaranth (Data Shak)?

Amaranth is a leafy green packed with micronutrients. In just 100g, it contains:

• Iron: 2.3 mg – helps combat anemia
• Calcium: 215 mg – crucial for bone health
• Vitamin A & C: Boost immunity and eye health
• Protein: 2.5g – higher than most leafy greens

“I was weak during pregnancy until my mother-in-law made me eat data shak every morning,” shares Runa, a mother from Khulna. “Doctors say it’s better than iron tablets.”

Why it matters:
With anemia affecting over 45% of women of reproductive age in Bangladesh, amaranth can play a vital role in improving maternal health, especially in rural areas.

Why Should Bangladesh Reintroduce Millet in Its Diet?

Millet, once widely grown in northern Bangladesh, is now a forgotten grain. Yet its nutritional and climate resilience are remarkable:

Nutritional benefits of millet:

• High fiber – regulates blood sugar
• Rich in B-complex vitamins
• Gluten-free – ideal for sensitive diets
• Iron, zinc, magnesium – critical for child growth

A study by ICRISAT found that millet-based meals improved growth by 50% more in malnourished children compared to rice meals.

Why it’s climate-smart:

• Survives low rainfall (200–400 mm)
• Tolerant to salinity and poor soils
• Short growing cycle (70–90 days)

“Millet grew where rice failed,” recalls retired farmer Abdul Karim from Rajshahi, “but now no one asks for it in markets.”

Policy blind spots and lack of market linkage are key barriers. With support, millet can diversify diets and revive dryland farming.

How Is the Drumstick (Sojne) a Superfood in Disguise?

The drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera), locally known as sojne, grows wild across the country, yet is vastly underutilized.

Drumstick benefits:

• Leaves:
  • 3x more iron than spinach
  • 7x more vitamin C than oranges
  • 4x more calcium than milk
• Pods:
  • High in fiber and antioxidants
• Seeds:
  • Used to purify water

FAO lists moringa as a top food for climate adaptation due to its rapid growth and high nutrition.

“In the Sundarbans, we grow sojne near ponds to survive storms,” says Shamsul, a community farmer. “But now NGOs are showing us how to make powder and sell it.”

Community-based models using drumstick leaf powder as a nutritional supplement are already showing success in school meal programs.

What Are the Barriers to Mainstreaming Indigenous Crops in Bangladesh?

Despite their promise, indigenous crops face multiple hurdles:

Challenges:

• Policy neglect: No subsidies or support compared to rice/wheat
• Market invisibility: Limited demand, supply chains, and promotion
• Perception bias: Seen as “poor man’s food”
• Seed access issues: Indigenous varieties not widely available
• Research gap: Lack of extension services or agronomic trials

“I wanted to grow taro and jute greens, but couldn’t find quality seeds,” shares a woman farmer in Batiaghata, Khulna.

To succeed, we must blend traditional knowledge with modern systems   from seed banks to value chain development and marketing.

How Can AgTech, NGOs, and Policymakers Support Indigenous Crops?

Bringing back indigenous crops requires multi-sectoral collaboration. Here’s what stakeholders can do:

For Policymakers:

• Recognize indigenous crops in agriculture and nutrition policies
• Support seed banks, indigenous seed fairs, and research funding
• Include indigenous foods in school meals & social safety nets

For NGOs:

• Document and promote community food traditions
• Support women’s farming groups with training & marketing
• Establish nutrition gardens using local species

For AgTech Developers:

• Create apps/databases to track indigenous crop varieties
• Enable mobile market access for smallholder growers
• Integrate climate-smart agronomy tools for forgotten crops

For Entrepreneurs:

• Develop value-added products (e.g., moringa powder, millet bars)
• Market indigenous foods as local superfoods
• Facilitate farmer-consumer platforms

How Can Indigenous Crops Improve Food Security and Climate Resilience?

Indigenous crops offer a triple win:

1. Nutrition security – combat anemia, stunting, and undernutrition
2. Climate adaptation – survive drought, floods, salinity
3. Economic resilience – new markets for rural farmers

World Bank reports show that food systems integrating indigenous crops are 30–50% more resilient to climate shocks.

By re-integrating crops like amaranth, millet, and drumstick, Bangladesh can build sustainable food systems rooted in culture, health, and resilience.

Bringing Forgotten Foods Back to the Table

Bangladesh’s food future doesn’t lie only in modern biotech labs. It also lies in reclaiming the wisdom of our ancestors   in the fields of Khulna, the kitchens of Satkhira, and the drumstick trees of Sundarban.

Indigenous crops like amaranth, millet, and drumstick are more than forgotten foods   they are future health allies, waiting to be rediscovered, nurtured, and celebrated.

Work With EcoNature BD to Revive Indigenous Food Systems

EcoNature BD collaborates with grassroots communities, NGOs, and innovators to scale up nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart farming using indigenous crops. From research to implementation, we offer:

• Crop profiling & field trials
• Policy & strategy consultancy
• Agri-entrepreneurship support
• Training for rural women & youth groups

Contact us today to co-create a food system that is healthy, inclusive, and resilient.

FAQs

1. What are the top indigenous crops in Bangladesh?

Amaranth, millet, drumstick, pumpkin leaves, country beans, taro, and kangkong are key indigenous crops known for their nutrition and climate resilience.

2. Are indigenous crops more nutritious than modern varieties?

Yes. Many indigenous crops like amaranth and moringa have higher levels of iron, calcium, and antioxidants than common market vegetables.

3. Why are indigenous crops disappearing in Bangladesh?

Due to policy neglect, changing food habits, market biases, and the dominance of rice and wheat, indigenous crops are being sidelined.

4. Can indigenous crops help fight malnutrition?

Absolutely. Their rich nutrient profiles help combat anemia, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies, especially in rural women and children.

5. How can NGOs support indigenous crop revival?

By promoting awareness, supporting local seed systems, creating market linkages, and integrating these crops into school meals and community gardens.

6. Are indigenous crops climate-smart?

Yes. Most are drought-tolerant, require fewer inputs, and can withstand salinity, making them ideal for climate-vulnerable regions like coastal Bangladesh.

7. Where can I learn more about sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh?

Visit EcoNatureBD.com to explore case studies, research, and scalable climate solutions rooted in indigenous knowledge.