Value Chains of Wild Edible Plants Used by Traditional Communities in Manipur, North East India

Abstract

Sustainable utilization of wild edible plants is significant for supplementation of food resources, bioresource management and uplifting the economy of the stakeholders. Native people in Manipur, North East India are collecting and using various wild edible plants. Traditional supply chain in the state have undergone a drastic change in the recent past giving way to modern system creating a complex scenario. The present paper aimed to highlight the commonly marketed wild edible plants in Manipur and to map the existing value chains of wild edible plants in order to find an improved system that would enhance the collector's livelihood means. The paper also analyzed the existing scenario of the market trends of wild edible plants which is complex of traditional and emerging modern system. Key issues and major interventions suggested for value chains in wild edible plants in Manipur are also suggested.