Tribal Farmers are one of the oldest traceable indigenous groups of India. Native tribal population dwell in the last perfect regions where resources are plentiful and rich, such as forests, water, minerals. Tribal Farmers produce their own medicines using the flora and faunal origin. Throughout thousands of generations, the tribals have honed the traditional farming methods. Since they have not had much exposure to the modernized industry, they have retained the authentic farming conventions. They grow crops without the use of fertilizers, pesticides, or agricultural machinery. Their farming methods rely on environmental factors and therefore, the product is naturally organic!
To grow many crops, tribal farmers of India practice an agriculture system that is in harmony with nature and that meets the nutritional needs of the people. Officials believe that the tribal agricultural system is outdated and needs to be replaced by modern solutions. This is not true. Tribal farming involves risk minimization methods, such as a zero-fossil fuel farming system to provide some food during erratic weather. The wide variety of crops that they grow include rice, millets, sorghum, pulses, legumes, millets, paddy, maize, and more.
Shifting Agriculture, Plantation Agriculture, Intensive Farming, Dry Agriculture, Mixed Farming, and many more types of cultivations methods are followed by Tribals. Mixed cultivation, known as utera is practiced mostly by all tribals. In this type, farmers save seeds of previous years and use farm animals to fertilize the fields using manure, which in turn helps to grow chemical-free nutritious food like cereals, millets and legumes. If one crop fails to produce, farmers can survive on other crops.
Every product starts as a sapling grown 3,000 – 8,000 ft above sea level with the cleanest air, fertile soil, and zero chemicals. These forest-grown products are a boon of nature and offer tremendous benefits compared to their industrialized counterparts. Since most tribes have limited contact with outsiders, they do not use any westernized agriculture methods to grow their crops. For example, animal dung, food waste, ashes, and natural manure are used to make the soil fertile and keep the crops pest-free. The land is seen as communal property in the tribal culture and is cultivated jointly by the entire community. This also ensures that the farming practices are free from any malpractices.
Few researchers, has catalogued around 26 types of cereals/ grains, 28 roots and tubers, 40 vegetables, 45 fruits and 21 mushrooms used in various tribal villages practising biodiversity-rich agriculture. Tribal also collect many foods from nearby forests on the basis of their knowledge about the plants and tree diversity of forests.
Tribals form approximately 8.6% of the Indian population. Their rich and ancient culture has been preserved for several centuries. They can also be called the original inhabitants of this land. Therefore, the tribal groups derive their agricultural knowledge from Mother Nature and this has been passed down through the generations. India’s shrinking forest cover is making it extremely difficult for the tribal population to sustain their lifestyle. By purchasing products grown by them is a way to support their beautiful heritage and community.
Presently, the market is flooded with food products that are marketed as ‘organic’ and ‘pure’ while they are still laden with several preservatives, chemicals, and flavorings substances. Tribals Cart brings you unadulterated and naturally grown products from the forests to your plate. All our products are available online in pan India and globally from 2023.
Our Brief
We are Tribals Cart India Private Limited headquartered in Bengaluru, INDIA. Our objective is to sell healthy food and wellness products in India and other countries. We currently have identified 50+ forest/Tribals grown products which include dal, pulses, whole spices like cardamom, pepper, chilli, & spices powder like turmeric, coriander, red chili, rice, wild honey, jaggery etc…
Contact us at – [email protected]