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The people of North-Eastern Hill Region (NEHR) of India inherited several traditional knowledge bases (ITKs) from their ancestors in the field of soil water conservation, diversified cropping/farming systems, pest management, post-harvest processing and other farming practices. Modern farming practices can be technologically improved by blending with suitable ITKs, which will not only boost their level of field acceptability but also speed up the transition to a better agricultural production system. There is an urgent need to fine-tune and upscale potential ITKs, namely, pond-based farming systems, Apatani/Panikheti/wet terrace farming, alder/tree bean-based land use system, bun (raised bed) system and bamboo drip irrigation, logwood bunding, roof water harvesting, and traditional ecofriendly and low cost pest management practices toward sustainable hill agriculture in NEHR. Some ITKs practiced by the farmers of the NEHR like recycling of crop residues and weed biomass about 8 t/ha has the potential to replenish 85 kg N, 17 kg P2O5, and 117 kg K2O/ha into soil; grass mulching at 10 t/ha or cover crops prevents soil erosion, conserves soil moisture, and upon decomposition may add 1600–2500 kg of carbon to soil improving soil health in long run. Green manure crops reduce soil bulk density (5%), enhance total porosity (8–28%), and ensure 20–25% higher yield. Logwood or stone bunding minimizes soil loss by 15–20%. Contour farming of erosion-resistant crops under steep slopes reduces soil loss and conserves soil moisture from 23% to 50%. The vegetative barriers of Tephrosia, Broom, Napier, and Guinea grass reduce soil loss by >80% and ensure green fodder at 25–30 t/year. Bamboo drip irrigation is an ecofriendly practice to save >50% of irrigation water. Roof water harvesting if combined with use of drip or sprinkler irrigation in home gardens can increase water use efficacy by 30–75%. Integration of Makhana cultivation with fish culture is reported to ensure farmer a net profit of around Rs. 1,78525/ha/year. Thus, there is very good potential to blend ITKs with modern farming practices for ensuring ecosystem sustainability, enhance resource use efficiency and preserve rich heritage for posterity.

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Blending Traditional Knowledge of Farmers in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies in the North-Eastern Hill Region of India

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Anup Das,
  • Ingudam Bhupenchandra,
  • Saurav Saha,
  • Samik Chawdhury,
  • M. A. Ansari,
  • Prashant Pandey,
  • Imtinuksung,
  • Kangjam Sonamani Singh

摘要

The people of North-Eastern Hill Region (NEHR) of India inherited several traditional knowledge bases (ITKs) from their ancestors in the field of soil water conservation, diversified cropping/farming systems, pest management, post-harvest processing and other farming practices. Modern farming practices can be technologically improved by blending with suitable ITKs, which will not only boost their level of field acceptability but also speed up the transition to a better agricultural production system. There is an urgent need to fine-tune and upscale potential ITKs, namely, pond-based farming systems, Apatani/Panikheti/wet terrace farming, alder/tree bean-based land use system, bun (raised bed) system and bamboo drip irrigation, logwood bunding, roof water harvesting, and traditional ecofriendly and low cost pest management practices toward sustainable hill agriculture in NEHR. Some ITKs practiced by the farmers of the NEHR like recycling of crop residues and weed biomass about 8 t/ha has the potential to replenish 85 kg N, 17 kg P2O5, and 117 kg K2O/ha into soil; grass mulching at 10 t/ha or cover crops prevents soil erosion, conserves soil moisture, and upon decomposition may add 1600–2500 kg of carbon to soil improving soil health in long run. Green manure crops reduce soil bulk density (5%), enhance total porosity (8–28%), and ensure 20–25% higher yield. Logwood or stone bunding minimizes soil loss by 15–20%. Contour farming of erosion-resistant crops under steep slopes reduces soil loss and conserves soil moisture from 23% to 50%. The vegetative barriers of Tephrosia, Broom, Napier, and Guinea grass reduce soil loss by >80% and ensure green fodder at 25–30 t/year. Bamboo drip irrigation is an ecofriendly practice to save >50% of irrigation water. Roof water harvesting if combined with use of drip or sprinkler irrigation in home gardens can increase water use efficacy by 30–75%. Integration of Makhana cultivation with fish culture is reported to ensure farmer a net profit of around Rs. 1,78525/ha/year. Thus, there is very good potential to blend ITKs with modern farming practices for ensuring ecosystem sustainability, enhance resource use efficiency and preserve rich heritage for posterity.