Inspiring Story of Hayu Dyah Patria: Turning Wild Plants into a Nutritional Resource

Everyone needs sufficient nutrients to live well and improve their quality of life. This nutritional intake must be in the right amount—not too much, not too little.

Nutritional status is essential knowledge for everyone. Nutritional deficiencies can impact a person's development, especially for children.

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in creating healthier, more prosperous communities. The importance of adequate daily nutrition to support productive, meaningful lives is an undeniable reality.

However, malnutrition remains a persistent issue in Indonesia. This problem has spurred both the government and society to seek solutions and prevent malnutrition.

The causes of malnutrition are rooted in fundamental issues such as poverty, which affects food availability, and the adequacy of healthcare for children.

Empowering communities with nutritional knowledge is crucial, especially for families with children, to improve the nutritional status of children in Indonesia.

This effort, of course, requires cooperation between the government, relevant stakeholders, and the public to make nutritional empowerment a success.

Utilizing Wild Plants to Strengthen Food Security and Nutrition

Hayu Dyah Patria, a woman from Sidoarjo, introduced the use of wild plants to the residents of Galengdowo.

The use of wild plants has a purpose: not only to preserve these plants but also to enhance food security and combat malnutrition.

“It’s a way to preserve wild plants while also bolstering food security and fighting malnutrition with a practical approach,” she said.

The “practical approach” Hayu Dyah refers to is that wild plants can be cultivated easily without requiring any special treatment.

Born in Gresik on January 27, 1981, Hayu is a food technology expert. She felt challenged to improve nutritional standards.

Before settling on wild plants, Hayu Dyah looked around for what was easily accessible to most people, eventually choosing wild plants as a means to strengthen food security and combat malnutrition.

Some of the wild plants she selected include castor leaves and purslane. Castor leaves are rich in minerals, while purslane—a favorite snack for crickets—turns out to be packed with vitamins and, importantly, compounds that boost intelligence.

“Purslane leaves contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in brain cell development for children,” she said.

This skill isn’t only useful for Galengdowo residents. According to 2010 Basic Health Research data, malnutrition rates in Indonesia remain high at 17.9%, with poverty as a primary cause. Therefore, making use of wild plants as a food source is a sensible option for the public.

“These plants can be picked for free, yet their nutrient content is on par with cultivated crops,” Hayu explained.

This realization inspired and challenged Hayu Dyah to improve nutritional standards by introducing wild plants to the residents of Galengdowo.

Identifying 300 Species of Wild Plants

Since 2009, she has been empowering housewives in Galengdowo, Jombang, to use wild plants as a food source. Hayu has successfully identified 300 species of wild plants and invited researchers and academics to analyze their nutritional content, with in-depth studies conducted on 10 specific species.

Thanks to her efforts, Hayu Dyah Patria received the Satu Indonesia Awards in 2011. She is recognized as a significant figure in combating malnutrition across the nation. (*)