Yogi govt prioritizes health alongside greenery through tree plantation campaign.

Lucknow : Aiming to enhance the state’s greenery, and tackle the challenges of climate change, the Yogi government is gearing up to set another remarkable record on July 20 by planting 36.50 crore saplings in a single day. 

Moreover, the campaign underscores the government’s commitment to public health by focusing on the plantation of drumstick saplings, called the powerhouse of nutrition. This year, the drive will include planting 55 lakh drumstick saplings.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that every Anganwadi centre and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana beneficiary should be given drumstick saplings. Additionally, in aspirational districts that are lagging in development standards, every family should be encouraged to plant a few drumstick saplings. 

This is also the idea behind the home garden initiative. If people become aware of the benefits of drumsticks and consume them, it would be akin to a successful battle against malnutrition. 

The central government has also recognized the benefits of drumsticks. Last year, the centre instructed states to include drumsticks along with locally grown, nutrient-rich spinach, other vegetables, and legumes in the PM- Poshan Scheme during the season.

The drumstick is not just a plant; it is a powerhouse of nutrition. Its leaves and pods possess properties that can prevent over 300 diseases. They contain 92 types of vitamins, 46 types of antioxidants, 36 types of pain relievers, and 18 types of amino acids.

*Comparatively, the nutritional benefits of drumstick are:*

– Vitamin C: Seven times more than oranges.

– Vitamin A: Four times more than carrots.

– Calcium: Four times more than milk.

– Potassium: Three times more than bananas.

– Protein: Three times more than yogurt.

Wherever there is a problem of malnutrition in the world, drumstick exists. This is why it is also called a miracle. In the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, it is cultivated, and its pods and leaves are used in various ways. 

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has developed two varieties named PKM-1 and PKM-2. PKM-1 is particularly suited to the agricultural climate of the region. It can grow in all types of soil, as long as it receives ample sunlight.

*Useful for animals and agriculture*

The benefits of drumsticks do not end here. Using its fresh or dried leaves as fodder has been reported to increase milk production in animals by more than one and a half times and weight by more than one-third. Additionally, spraying crops with a solution of leaf juice mixed with water results in an increase in yield by more than one and a quarter times.