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Life Science Archives (LSA)
ISSN: 2454-1354
Volume – 1; Issue - 5; Year – 2015; Page: 298 - 321
©2015 Published by JPS Scientific Publications Ltd. All rights reserved
Research Article
DOCUMENTATION OF INDIGENOUS TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE IN
COASTAL FARMING SYSTEM OF TAMIL NADU
T. Raj Pravin*, 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University,
Annamalai Nagar – 608 002, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. India.
Abstract
Tamil Nadu is blessed with a long coastal area of 1013 kms with 25 per cent of resource poor
farmers from most backward sections of the society. This study was undertaken in 12 coastal districts of
Tamil Nadu. The finding of the study revealed the presences of 149 indigenous items in coastal farming
system of Tamil Nadu. They are mostly low cost, made of available resources, eco-friendly and which
may serve as alternatives to modern technologies. About 82.88 per cent of the indigenous items
identified in coastal areas on crop production and 68.42 per cent on crop protection were found to be
rational by the scientists of TNAU. These rational items will serve the scientist with a list of technologies
for test verification and selection of viable technologies. These technologies can be easily disseminated
through the extension system since they are already deep rooted in the rural culture of Tamil Nadu.
Article History Received : 08.10.2015
Revised : 19.10.2015
Accepted : 10.11.2015
Key words: Indigenous knowledge, Coastal farming
system.
1. Introduction
India, a land of diversity with different geographical features, agro-climatic conditions,
fauna and flora is regarded as one of the bio-
diversity hot spots of the world. Being a cradle of
biological wealth, intellectual knowledge and
spiritual wisdom we cultivate a wide range of
cereals, millets, pulses and horticultural crops to
suit the requirements and needs of our local
population. However, the pre and post
independence period witnessed a rise of natural
vagaries bringing about massive destruction to our
food production systems. The raising population
also forced the Indian food production system to
use improved cultivation and package of practices
* Corresponding author: T. Raj Pravin,
Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of
Agriculture, Annamalai University.
with high yielding varieties and by deploying huge
quantities of agricultural chemicals. Institutional
mechanisms were created with credit linkages,
marketing and training to achieve self sufficiency
in our food production systems. However, the
increased use of chemicals, high yielding varieties
resulted in the creation of many social and
ecological problems. So, an alternative food
production system sustainable for longer periods
of time, low cost and eco-friendly in nature was
thought-out by our policy planners. With much
discussion and debates, the 88th
Indian Science
Congress came with a declaration of using modern
techniques integrating with traditional and
indigenous practices to alleviate poverty and bring
about prosperity to our nation. Keeping this in
view, a study was undertaken with the financial
assistance of ICSSR for documenting the
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©2015 Published by JPS Scientific Publications Ltd. All rights reserved
indigenous technical knowledge in coastal farming
system of Tamil Nadu.
Research Methodology
Tamil Nadu is blessed with a long coastal
area of 1013 kms with 25 per cent of resource
poor farmers from most backward sections of the
society. This study was undertaken in 12 coastal
districts of Tamil Nadu namely Kanyakumari,
Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram,
Pudukottai, Thiruvarur, Thiruvallur, Thanjavur,
Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Villupuram and
Kanchipuram which were in close proximity to
coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
Fig 1. Map showing the study area
In each coastal district a block where huge quantum of indigenous knowledge is in practice was being
selected on discussion with the extension functionaries of SAD, NGOs and scientists of Agricultural research
stations of respective districts. The blocks identified in this study along with villages are given below.
Table – 1: Study area
S. No. Name of the district Name of the blocks Name of the villages
1. Kanyakumari Rajakkamangalam Palavilai
Erumbukkadu
2. Tirunelveli Thovalai Agasteeswaram Leepuram Thirupathisaram
3. Tuticorin Ottapidaram Pasuvanthanai Yavanaiumvendran
4. Ramanathapuram Avudiayarkoil Nainarkoil, Chatrakudi,
Pullangudi, Kottampuli, Muthunal
5. Pudukkottai Mimisal Muyalikadu, Vengadaikulam
6. Thanjavur Athiramappattinam Muthaseri, Pallikondan,
Santakottai
7. Thiruvarur Vetharaniam Janpavanoodai,
Idumbavanam
8. Nagapattinam Thopputhurai Vettaikaranputhur,
Vaimedu
9. Cuddalore Chidambaram Nalanputhur, Kollidam
10. Villupuram Marakkanam Vellakulam, Mookaiur
11. Kancheepuram Seelampakkam Padur, Thiruporur
12. Thiruvallur Pulicat Kattur
The villages were selected with the
assistance of field level functionaries like AAOs
and VAOs. A participatory appraisal discussion
involving NGOs namely Swami Vivekananda
Sevashram, Vanoli Uzhavar Sangam,
Gramabharathi, Village community development
society at a workshop organized in Vivekananda
Kendra and Kanyakumari. The villages were
selected on the basis of availability of huge
quantum of indigenous items. In the selected
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villages of the study, a pre tested interview
seclude developed and designed for this study was
used for collecting indigenous items from the
identified farmers. Secondary source of
information was also collected and added along
with the list of indigenous items identified from
different sources like extension functionaries of
SDA, scientists of TNAU, field staff of NGOs and
aged farmers of the study area. From the list of
farmers practicing indigenous items, twenty
farmers were identified in different villages within
a block in each district. The selection of farm
respondents in this study was on the basis of their
awareness and adoption of indigenous items in
agriculture based on interview method. The
association of farmers with the development
agencies working in the study area was also
considered as a criterion for selection. Twenty
farmers representing each block of the twelve
districts with a total of 240 respondents identified
and assisted in the collection of 149 indigenous
agriculture practices. On consultation with the
doctoral advisory committee members and
extension scientists of TNAU, the identified items
were sent to 60 scientist of TNAU for testing its
rationality. The findings and discussion of this
study are given below
Findings and Discussion
The findings and discussion of indigenous
knowledge items revealed the presence and use of
indigenous agricultural practices in existence for
thousands of years in coastal farming system of
Tamil Nadu.
Collection, Documentation and Categorisation
of Indigenous Agriculture
practices in Coastal Farming Areas of Tamil
Nadu.
The farmers possessing indigenous
technical knowledge were identified with the
assistance of scientists from Agricultural Research
Stations, KVKs, Plant clinic centres of TNAU and
using the network of established Non-
governmental' organisations functioning in coastal
areas of Tamil Nadu. Based on this, 149
indigenous agricultural practices identified in this
study are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Indigenous agricultural practices of coastal area farmers
S. No. Indigenous technical knowledge
Cereals
1. Traditional cultivar like Norungan is a local paddy variety resistant to pest and disease yielding
2400 kg/hectare
2. Sivappuchithraikar is a local variety resistant to pest and disease tolerant to salinity yielding
3700 kg/hectare
3. Aryan a local paddy variety having a duration of 4-5 months resistant to salinity and rest yields
2250 kg/hectare
4. Vellaichithraikar suitable for longer periods of stress and drought, resistant to pest and disease
yields 2190 kg/hectare
5. Samba a longer duration rice variety of 5-6 months yields 2035 kg/hectare
6. Local variety Kuzhiyadichan is a long duration crop requiring less agricultural inputs and
pest and disease tolerant yielding 3500 kg/hectare
7. Crab spacing of rice planting improves production and productivity
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8 Rice sowing on full moon day yields good results
9 Sowing on Aadiperukku of Tamil month Aadi (July-August) ensures good harvest
10 Cultivation of Dhaincha controls weed population
11 Using pig waste and fish waste increases productivity of rice in coastal area
12 Intercropping rice with marigold as an ornamental crop fetches good returns
13 Cultivation of paddy after banana gives improved returns
14 Using paddy kuthir (clay mud pots) improves seed germinability
15 Leaves of Casuarina equisetifolia are kept in piles near seacoast decomposition and
then used as manure for paddy crop
16 Cultivation of coconut near rice fields reduces yield to considerable amount
17 Water hyacinth compost (Eicnornia spp) improves paddy productivity
18 Application of sudu mannu (Burnt soil) collected from paddy fields check soil erosion and
improves crop growth
19 Panjakaviya (a mixture of cow dung, cow urine, banana, jaggery) fetches good yield in rice
cultivation
20 Good harvest in paddy is obtained from crop transplanted during Aavani (August-September)
season
21 Planting paddy thickly in Samba and thinly in Navarai increases yields
22 Practising sheep manuring during summer gives more yield
23 Application of 100 kg of pig manure for one acre of rice crop at 10 days after planting gives
higher yields
24 Wooden granaries improve the storage life of paddy grains
25
Leaves of Erukku (Calotropnis gigantea), Aavarai (Cassia auriculata), Nochi (Vitex negundo),
Kollingi (Tephrosia purpurea) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) are good leaf manure with
medicinal properties
26 Moringa leaf extracts are mixed with moist paddy seeds to speed up germination
27 Rice crop grown on rotation with yam reduces the incidence of weeds
28 Owl stands or bird perches control rodent population
29 Rice crop intercropped with coconut gives good remuneration to farmers
30 Dense sowing controls weed growth in paddy nursery
31 Application of tank silt in nursery area gives good seedling growth
32 Rice sown during evening hours avoid sun heat of day and grow luxuriously
33 Spraying asofetida solution (Ferula asofoetida) controls earhead bug
34 Ducks and hens in paddy fields after harvest reduce pest incidence during the next season
35 Lime in paddy controls grubs
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36 A mixture of common salt sprinkled with sand control pest and micronutrient problems
37 Dusting ash in rice fields control earhead bug
38 Paddy and gingelly stored together reduce pest incidence
Millets
39 Pre-soaking of sorghum seeds before sowing improves germination
40 Alternate soaking and drying of sorghum induce drought tolerance
41 Application of tank silt improves yield of pearl millet in rainfed condition
42 Direct sowing of sorghum gives improved returns
43 Sowing rainfed sorghum during Aadi (July-August) or Purattasi (September-
October) months increases yield
44 Cowpea and green gram are sown as mixed crops with sorghum under rainfed cultivation for
additional income
45 Soaking of sorghum seeds in cow urine for half an hour and sun drying them before sowing
induce drought tolerance in sorghum
46 Pearl millet seeds are put in salt solution (1 kg of common salt in 10 litre of water) and the
floating and disease affected seeds are removed
47 Coriander is grown as mixed crop with sorghum control weeds
48 Sorghum seeds are soaked in a diluted mixture of extracts from 250 g roots of aswagandha
(Withania somnifera) and shade dried for vigorous growth
49 Pearl millets are stored in building 'Pattarai' before threshing
50 Finger millet are treated with cow urine at 1:10 ratio to chance germination
51 Larger duration finger millets are preferred to avoid drought
52 For birds scaring the carcass of a crow is hung on a long pole in the centre of pearl millet field
53 Pearl millet seeds are stored by mixing with ash
54 Dusting ash in infected leaves of sorghum reduces pest incidence
55 Tying the flowers of wild Cactus sanramboo in the field acts as a repellant to earhead bug
56 Cowpea + pearl millet reduce pest incidence
57 Pearl millet seeds are mixed with leaves of nochi (Vitex negundo) and then stored
58 Clipping of sorghum leaves during early stages reduces pest incidence
59 Spraying supernatant solution herbal extract (leaves of Nochi, Tulsi, neem in a litre of water for
a week) and over sorghum reduces pest incidence
60 Application of coir pith in sorghum fields reduces soil moisture loss and improves the fertility
of soil
61 Application of FYM gives no positive results in rainfed sorghum
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Pulses
62 Pre-monsoon sowing of black gram is followed under rainfed condition
63 Black gram yield is increased if it is sown in the second week of September
64 Black gram with high seed rate helps in maintaining optimum plant population
65 Drying black gram seeds avoids storage pests
66 Black gram stored between September 24 to October 1 has higher yields
67 Ploughing the fields twice before sowing black gram and again ploughing once after sowing
68 Mixing black gram with sweet flag (Acorus calamus) powder increase germinability
69 Black gram stored with ragi has no pest incidence
70 Purified butter milk spray with the concentration of 1:10 ratio is followed to control yellow
mosaic virus
71 Mixing black gram with dried leaves of Nochi (Vitex negundo) or neem (Azadirachta indica)
during storage for storage pest control
72 Black gram seed stored with naytholasi (Ocimucanum spp) reduces pest incidence
73 Black gram is stored with mixing clay and silt
74 Storing dry chillies with black gram reduces pest attack
75 Breaking black gram into halves will escape from weevil attack during storage
76 Coating black gram with castor oil increases keeping quality
77 The optimal drying of black gram is indicated by moving a wooden plank over black gram with
a cracking sand
78 Bullocks pulling stone rollers are attained to trample over harvested black gram crops spreads
in road sides
79 Creeping varieties of cowpea thinning in 30-40 days improves yield
80 Cowpea are stored in wooden bins called Thombai
81 Storing Pulichi (Hibiscus cannabinus) with cowpea reduces pest incidence
82 Cowpea soaked with cow urine for half an hour controls smut disease
83 Cowpea mixed with teratorium slurry, dried and stored has greater shelf life, free from pest
incidence and good germinability
84 Vegetable oil is mixed with cowpea before storage
85 Poultry manure gives good yield in cowpea cultivation
86 Mixing cowpea with red earth survey, drying and storing them in pots having viability for a
year
87 In rainfed cultivation, cowpea seeds are broadcasted with a shallow ploughing with country
plough
88 Cowpea grown as intercrop with groundnut acts as a trap crop to control red hairy caterpillar
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89 Cowpea with green gram are sown as mixed crops with sorghum under rainfed condition for additional income
90 For safe storage, cowpea seeds are mixed with ragi which reduces pest incidence
91 Cowpea pods are thrashed under bullocks feet during harvest
Oilseeds
92 Java giant or Jafna - an indigenous coconut cultivar gives high yield
93 In coconut pits, common salt is put before transplanting for quick growth
94 Flooding of coconut fields wash of termites
95 Fish waste prolonged in coconut fields improves soil fertility and yields
96 Bee hives in coconut improves productivity
97 Branches of Seemai karuvel (Prosopis juliflora) are tried around the mid trunk of coconut to
prevent rodent damage
98 In planting of coconut seedling, one leaf of Agave Spp. is planted in the pit to retain soil
moisture and control termites
99 Gingelly is stacked during harvest for good drying and is a storage method
100 Cutting of coconut fronds reduces the yield of coconut
101 Cultivation of coconut with arecanut improves yield of coconut
102 Cultivation of banana in coconut is highly remunerative
103 To avoid button shedding in coconut common salt solution is sprayed
104 To control Thanjavur wilt, green manures like Kolmji (Tephrosia purpurea) and
Dhaincha (Sesbania Spp.) are raised, ploughed along with neem cake
105 Cultivation of coconut, rubber, arecanut and cocoa in multiple cropping system is highly
remunerative
106 After planting coconut seedlings shade is provided by coconut or palmyrah fronds
Vegetables
107 Cultivation of Andarkulam local variety in brinjal gives good yield but has low shelf life
108 Cultivation of native green (Amarcmthus tricolor) with ladies finger is highly remunerative
109 Tapioca as a hedge crop in vegetables gives good yield with no cost
110 Cultivation of Hisbiscus subdariga in vegetable fields near irrigation sources is used for pickle
making
111 Raising onion as intercrop controls pest incidence in vegetables
112 Burning of waste biomass of vegetables controls pest population
113 Spraying neem oil controls fruit fall in tomato
114 Spraying leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora controls leaf spot in chillies
115 Spraying neem seed kernel extract controls leaf miner in vegetables
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116 Drizzling in the fruit bearing season increases the incidence of pest and disease in vegetables
General Agriculture
117 Use of sals in irrigation
118 Mud granaries are good method of storing large quantities of cereals and millets
119 Irraiputtu sal (,ilg+l;L rhy;) is a good water harvesting mechanism practiced in coastal areas
120 Stacking straw in stone mounted special structures saves it from termite attack and help in
saving the cost incurred in construction of cattle shed
121 Wooden granaries help in storing large quantities of food grains
122 Stacking cumbu / sorghum after harvesting ensures uniform drying and the by-products find use
in hay and silage making
123 In saving seedlings from scorching sun using bamboo poles and gunny bags are tied in a
conical structures till it is reaching a good growth
124 Paddy kuthir are good storage structures for cereals
125 Tin granaries helps in storing huge quantities of cereals
126 Use of Irraivatti is a good water harvesting device in lifting water from low areas to high areas
127 Use of wooden rat traps (Pallakai porri) helps in control of rodents, small birds and animals
128 Onnis are used in lifting water from low lying areas to high level areas
129 Christmas rolls tied over paddy fields to scar away birds
130 Beating drum scars away birds and rodents
131 In small cultivable lands manure pits are laid with hand and hoe as tractors and tillers could not
be used
132 Cultivation of wild hedges (Euphorbia tirucalli) acts as protection to garden land from cattle
and human intrusion
133 Narakkal are used for measuring cereals for sowing, storage and sales
134 Granaries made with saw dust and mud are very helpful in storing cereals, pulses and minor
millets
135 Thillaimaram (js kuk;) is a good water harvesting mechanism in coastal areas
136 Using palmyrah trunk as irrigation channel is cheap, and is made with locally available
resources
137 Pot granary help in saving the viability of seeds for longer periods of time
138 Coconut fencing over barbed iron wires in coastal areas is cheap, locally available and
sustainable for longer periods of time
139 Palmyrah fencing is an indigenous resource in coastal areas
140 Wooden jaggery granaries kept in kitchens helps in saving huge quantities of country jaggery
for longer period of time
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141 Tin sales is an efficient water harvesting mechanism in coastal areas
142 Stacking of onions in bamboo made cages one feet above ground level improves its shelf life
and fetches good price
143 Tying tins and bottles in sunflower fields keeps away birds and rodents with crackling sound
144 Colour pots kept or hung in trees control birds and rodent problem in fields
145 In non-clayey black soil huge quantity of seeds need to be used for raising a normal crop
146 Nuna (Morinda tinctoria) indicates high moisture in soil
147 Addition of red soil in clay soil improves soil fertility
148 Local varieties of crops are preferred because the keeping quality of straw is very high
149 Use of bamboo rat kittys to kill rats
Photo1. Discussion with functionaries of Non-Governmental Organisations at Vivekananda Kendra,
Kanyakumari regarding the selection of study area
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INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES DOCUMENTED IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT
Photo 2. Wooden Granary
Benefits
The seeds of paddy to be sown in the next season are stored in wooden granaries. It is applied with oil of
Pongam (Pongamania glabra) to prevent the attack of storage pest.
Photo 3. Paddy Kuthir
Benefits
The seeds of paddy, pulses and vegetables are stored in small quantities in paddy kuthir. It prevents storage
pest attacks and improves the viability of the stored seeds.
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Photo 4. Country or palm jiggery torage bin (fUg;Gf;fl;b gj;ijak;)
Benefits
The country jaggery is stored in bins made of palmyra wood at the top of kitchens. The smoke from cooking
helps in the solidification process and improves its shelf life for longer periods of time.
Photo 5.Cocks comb (Velosia argentina) intercropping in paddy fields
Benefits
Give good yield and remuneration to farmers
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Photo 6. Use of Marakkal in measurements
Benefits
Used in measurement of seeds for sowing and for marketing with ease is still used in rural areas as
measurement instead of standard units.
Photo 7. Traditional rat trap or kitty
Benefits
Made by local artisans, no recurring cost, easy to handle use simple engineering skills.
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Photo 8. Use of traditional kitty or palakai porry
Benefits
Uses simple engineering methods. Controls rats, squirrels, wild pigs, and small birds in agricultural fields
near reserve forests.
Photo 9. Use of Erraivatti in water harvesting
Benefits
Used in places without access to electricity. Helpful in taking up water from low elevation areas to high
elevation areas employing manual labour.
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Photo 10. Use of Oonis in water harvesting
Benefits
Uses simple scientific principles. It is for lifting water from lower elevation points to high elevation points. It
is used at community tanks to benefits all strata of farmers
Photo 11. Bird scaring mechanism
Beating sound to scar birds
Benefit
Low cost technologies employing the available resources.
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Photo 12. Bird scaring mechanism
Christmas rolls tied prevents birds in fields
Benefits
The Christmas rolls reflects lights and gives a glittering appearance over fields and frighten the birds in
entering the fields.
Photo 13. Tin Granary
Benefits
Improved version of wooden granaries. Occupies less space compared to wooden granaries and is of
low cost in nature
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Photo 14. Use of Rat trap (Kitty)
Benefit
Eco-friendly method without using any chemical
Photo 15. Raising bees in Coconut plantation
Benefits
(i) Raises yield by improving cross-pollination.
(ii) Help farmers to gain additional revenue even during drought season.
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Photo 16. Use of Panja Kaviya
Benefits
Low cost and eco-friendly in nature. Improves yield by 20 -40 percent.
Photo 17. Herbal extract
Benefits
Eco-friendly, low cost in nature and reduces pest incidence.
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Photo 18. Cultivation of Java Giant cultivar in coconut
Benefits
High yields and suitable to coastal areas.
Photo 19. Hedges with live fences
Benefit
Low cost structures.
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INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN TUTICORIN
Photo 20. Saw dust and Mud granary
Benefits
It can be separated as compartments used for storing small and large quantities of cereals, millets and
pulses.
Photo 21. Use of sals in water harvesting
Benefit
Used when ground water level is about 20 - 30 feet.
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RAMANATHAPURAM
Photo 22. Use of Thilai maram in water harvesting
Benefits
Uses simple engineering methodology for collecting fresh water in coastal areas.
Photos 23. Palmyrah fencing
Benefit
Low cost structures.
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Photos 24. Coconut fencing
Benefit
Low cost structures.
Photo 25. Palmyrah trunk as water channel
Benefits
Low cost structures made from locally available resources.
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Photo 26. Pot granaries in storing grains
Benefits
Made from locally available resources and eco-friendly in nature.
INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES DOCUMENTED IN PUDUKKOTTAI DISTRICT
Photo 27. Use of sals in water harvesting
Benefits
Low cost and drawn by bulls.
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Photo 28. Mud granary
Benefits
Storing cereals for longer periods. Prevent storage pest and destruction from wild animals and help farmers
to gain remuneration during periods of grain price fall. After the raise of cereal price, farmers can sell their
produce and make profits.
Photo 29. Use of irriputtu sal in water harvesting
Benefits
Made from local available resources using simple engineering skills.
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Photo 30. Use of traditional rat kitty
Benefits
Eco-friendly in nature and made from locally available resources, low cost in nature.
Summary and Conclusion
The findings of study reveal that
Indigenous knowledge is a part of rural
farming culture. This study identified 149
indigenous items in coastal areas of Tamil
Nadu which are low cost, made of available
resources, eco-friendly and which may serve
as alternatives to modern technologies. About
82.88 per cent of the indigenous items
identified in coastal areas on crop production
and 68.42 per cent on crop protection were
found to be rational by the scientists of
TNAU. These rational items will serve the
scientist with a list of technologies for test
verification and selection of viable
technologies. These technologies can be easily
disseminated through the extension system
since they are already deep rooted in the rural
culture of Tamil Nadu.
Acknowledgment
The author is very much thankful and greatfull to Indian Council of Social Science
Research (ICSSR), New Delhi for offering doctoral research fellowship for this research study.