Founded in 2016, Aranya is a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) comprising a group of smallholder farmers belonging to the forests of the Aravalli Hills in eastern Gujarat.
Coexisting with the flora and fauna of the region, Wild Jai Farm is home to seven varieties of indigenous mangoes, chikoos, and coconuts along with several forms of wildlife.
Sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet flours are combined to make this wholesome dish, with recipes for cucumber-tomato sabji, and chilli pickle that pair perfectly with it.
The Bajri Methi Gota made with pearl millet flour, methi leaves and spices is a simple but flavorful pakoda that's popular in the Kathiawad region of Gujarat.
Reviving native seeds in India is an uphill task. But recognising the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge, OOO Farms works closely with local communities in Gujarat and Maharashtra to return heirloom seeds to their homelands.
The idea for OOO Farms took root when Shailesh Awate, an ardent trekker, began to notice forest cover in the Sahyadris diminishing through the decades. Driven by the desire to preserve these forests, he started working with indigenous communities in the region to conserve native and indigenous seeds.