Spiny Guard

Spiny Guard (Cantola) is said to be native to the mountainous region of India.  In India, Spiny Guard cultivation is more prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and Assam.  It has the biological family Cucurbitaceae.

Spiny Guard is considered to be the most powerful vegetable.  Spiny Guard is said to be the king of the seasonal vines.  It is a kind of wild vegetable with vines.

In the rainy season, there are wild vegetables that grow spontaneously in the forest and in the fields.  It is very tasty as it is a pure organic sprouting vine in a field fence.

Cantola is cultivated in the rural areas of Keshod, Maliya, Mangrol taluka of Junagadh district.  The first successful cultivation of cantola in Sorath panth was done by a progressive farmer of Ajab village in the year 19.

It is a favorite vegetable of the people especially in the rural areas of Gujarat.  Spiny Guard pickles can also be added and chips can also be made.

It can be raised from seed or from its knot.  Male and female vines have to be grown so that fertilization occurs naturally. Spiny Guard is rich in medicinal properties and is rich in protein and iron while low in calories.  So there is an excellent medicine for people to lose weight.

In various diseases like shortness of breath, cough, fever, diabetes, hemorrhoids, blood pressure, intestinal disorders or urinary problems, taking cantola in different ways proves to be very effective.

This naturally growing cantola labor family brings weave from the forest and is also sold in the market as a vegetable.

Farmers of Sorath Panth deliver Kantola to the vegetable markets of Surat-Ahmedabad and surrounding areas.  They get barely Rs 50 to Rs 100 per kg.

Spiny Guard is a very lucrative crop but it is not yet popular as farmers as well as people have limited knowledge about it!