The fruit is eaten by animals, birds, and all humans. Since ancient times, people have made their living by eating the wild fruits found in the forest. Even when people’s diets are varied, they still enjoy eating fruits. By consuming certain high-vitamin fruits, people maintain their body strength. Some fruits not only strengthen the human body but also enhance the human thinking and understanding.
Nowadays, people cultivate fruits for their own consumption. Many people are also seen cultivating fruits and vegetables in the field of their choice for economic benefits. By selling fruits in the market, they can also buy household items for their livelihood.
The rural Boro people are a significant agrarian community in the state of Assam. Apart from animal husbandry, vegetable cultivation, they have also focused on fruit cultivation. They have been cultivating a variety of fruits in their fields since ancient times. Below is an attempt to write about what fruits and vegetables are grown organically by the Boro people.
Areca nut Cutivation: Since ancient times, the Bodo people have grown rice as their staple food. Along with horticulture, field cultivation and shifting cultivation, they have also been growing jute. Areca nut was once only used within the family for food, and used during weddings, religious rites, and festivals. Almost every household had areca nut tree nearby. Both corn and jute were used equally, so corn was often planted around the areca nut tree too.
The Bodo people’s worship, devotion to God, and hospitality were common. Whenever a guest came over, they would offer something from the tree and serve it with a knife. Even now this tradition is still visible.
The Bodo household routines could be seen in the morning, afternoon, and evening. In most families, all the members took part. They say it feels good to speak freely when no one is around. Sometimes, you might also see someone taking a short nap or dealing with a fever.
At presently, the Bodo people have started raising areca nut for trade. The price of areca nut fruit is going up every day. The areca nut products are used to make various condiments, like Kamla Pasand, Shikhar, Mazza, Parasite control and Ayurvedic medicines.
Many traders have been coming out recently to sell the areca nut. The steadily growing use of areca nut products and merchant trading has led to a sharp increase in their prices.
You can find large areca nut plantations in the Nichima area under Chirang district of Assam, especially around Amteka, Malivita, Patabari and Koila Moila Forest villages. Over in the lower parts of Bhutan, the Dadgiri village has also seen a lot of areca nut cultivation. These days, many farmers seem to be relying on areca nut farming to get by.
Last year, areca nut prices in the Amteka and Malivita areas were between Rs.4500 to Rs.6000 per quintal. Besides the areca nut fruit, some traders are also buying areca nut Leaf Sheaths. A leaf sheaths costs about two rupees per one. They’re used to make baskets, plates, cups, bowls, and pots etc. Farmers sell areca nut both fresh and after boiling, drying and processing it. Selling it dry usually gets a better price than selling it fresh.
The Bodo farmers have now started growing areca nut all over the place. For them, it’s like a revival of farming. Even in some rice fields, Bodo farmers are now trying to grow betelnut cultivation instead of rice. Some of the farmers say areca nut farming brings in more money than rice.
Lychee Cultivation: The Boro people like to eat lychee fruit so they grow lychee fruit near their homes. Usually, the fruit is almost watery, but sweet and sour. The fruit is eaten only when ripe. Nowadays people can get a lot of financial benefit from this fruit. The rural Boro people are also seen selling litchi fruits in the market near their homes.
This period saw extensive cultivation of the fruit using modern techniques in various countries for economic purposes. By cultivating such fruits many economic benefits can be obtained and they can earn their livelihood. The fruit is green when fresh but turns red when ripe.
In modern times, lissu juice and a variety of chocolate and confectionery products are sold in various countries around the world. Even today, the rural Boro people can be seen cultivating Lissu (litchi) outside their homes. But still they did not pay attention to cultivating litchi fruit in large areas.
Mango Cultivation: People who usually eat mangoes know that they are bitter. It is sweet to eat when ripe. Depending on the quality of the seed and soil, some mangoes are sweet and tasty to eat even when raw.
Mangoes are usually summer fruits. In some areas, mangoes are also grown in the winter season using modern techniques. In the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, mango cultivation is seen on a large scale from such an economic point of view.
The villagers eat mangoes fresh, ripe, and pickled if they wish. At present, juice from ripe mangoes is sold in the market. Apart from this, mangoes are also used to make chocolates and various types of desserts.
Everyone loves to eat mangoes. By cultivating mango fruits, a person can now get a lot of financial help, but not only financial help but also a lot of satisfaction in cultivating and caring for the fruit.
Mango fruit is known as the king of fruits. Mangoes are not only commonly eaten but a variety of chocolates and juices (sorbot) are made from them. Due to such demand, nowadays mango is grown in abundance. Do you know which country grows the most mangoes? It is pertinent to note that India is currently the largest producer of mangoes. More than 25 metric tons of mangoes are produced in India annually.
Banana Cultivation: The Boro people are very fond of eating fresh fruits. Formal fruit can be said to be a favorite fruit of the banana tree. It is usually a summer fruit. The Boro people usually eat the fruit when it is still fresh, and also when it is ripe.
Jackfruit Cultivation: The Boro people plant the jackfruit tree near their homes. They have not yet thought of cultivating it on a large area. They think that the fruit of a tree is enough for it to bear much fruit. The fruit is not yet commercially viable, but some villagers are seen selling it in the market. The seeds of the fruit are also eaten by the Boro people by cooking curries.
Guava Cultivation: Almost all the Bodo people grow it in their gardens. Theses days, they’re not just eating it at home, but also selling it at the market.