Blending Traditional Knowledge of Farmers in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies in Jammu Province
摘要
Jammu is a province in the state Jammu and Kashmir. It is mostly a hilly state with approximately 30% of the total land area under cultivation. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for approximately 65% of state revenue. Different ITKs are being practiced in the province in cultivation of crops which not only economize the production, but also are easy to adopt and cost effective. In this review, mention was made about various ITKs followed by farmers and the blending of ITKs with modern agricultural technologies to increase production, profitability and sustainability. Contour cultivation practices across slope on a 2.4% slope in alluvial soil with sorghum crop caused increase in sorghum grain yield by 25% and reduction in soil loss by 45–60%. The practice of haloding (earthing up) has been observed to decrease weeds by 65%, conserve more water, and increase the maize yield by 24% and wheat yield 10% over the control treatment. Mulching with cow dung in mustard field in Jammu province helps in buffering soil temperature and protecting the plants and saving crop from snow fall at flowering stage during December month, besides helping in conserving moisture, reducing evaporation and improving soil physical conditions.