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Environment Friendly Traditional Agricultural Practices
(Punjab)
Background:
Around the world, researchers are beginning to appreciate that
traditional farming methods are low cost, sustainable and
eco-friendly. The worth of such knowledge base is of specific
importance to scientists for exploration, documentation and
dissemination. On these lines, a project proposal was taken up
during May 2002 to December 2004 by Punjab State Council for
Science & Technology in association with Prof. Ravinder Kaur of
Deptt. of Extension Education, PAU, Ludhiana with the following
objectives:
To
document various agricultural practices through survey and build
up a data bank of technologies. To redefine the strength of
traditional knowledge in agriculture sector.To study the opinion
of scientists regarding the scientific basis and relevance of the
traditional agricultural practices
Methodology:
After reviewing the literature on traditional knowledge, an
appropriate methodology was adopted to identify and document the
traditional agricultural practices followed by the farmers. This
included the research methods, techniques and tools used for the
research study; the locale with selection criteria; scientific
justification of the identified traditional knowledge and its
documentation. The study was undertaken in districts Mansa,
Bathinda and Muktsar of Punjab.
Classification of Traditional Agricultural Practices:
Identified traditional agricultural practices were classified and
categorized into different subject matter areas like crop
production, soil management, water management, weed control,
insect-pest control, weather forecast, agricultural engineering,
home management, clothing and textile, animal husbandry etc.
Opinion was taken from 85 PAU scientists from respective
disciplines of the Punjab Agricultural University. Based upon the
opinion of the experts each practice was classified into one of
the following categories:
Whether the practice is scientifically agreeable.
Practice is totally non-scientific and needs outward rejection.
The
practice is worth consideration but needs further scientific
investigation and up gradation.
Documentation: Documentation was done make the common people
aware regarding these traditional agricultural practices and
dissemination of ecologically sound, environmentally friendly and
scientifically justifiable practices in the near future.
Documentation was also done to keep record of prevalence of
practices for the coming generations.
Results:
In total, 235 traditional agricultural practices were identified,
out of which 95 practices were scientifically justified by the
experts and 75 practices were recommended for further
investigation. Linkages have been established with various farmers
progressive as well as traditional and extension personnel working
in different areas. |
