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The limitations of land and increased demand to feed the growing population have changed many of the traditional farming practices in Kerala, which have resulted in the adoption of many new technologies practiced elsewhere, not suitable for the agroecology of Kerala. Kerala is predominantly an agricultural state with the main cropping system of rice, being cultivated in three seasons, namely, kharif (virippu), rabi (mundakan), and puncha. Farmers have started intensive cultivation, integrating many of the traditional technologies with modern scientific knowledge so as to achieve the goals of improved soil health, increased crop production, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Soil acidity is an important problem which has to be corrected by liming the soil before starting cultivation. Apart from lime, other sources like biochar, ash, charcoal, and rock dust have been tried to reduce soil acidity and Fe toxicity to improve yield. Inclusion of legumes in coconut basins contributes about 15–25 kg of biomass and 100–200 g of N during a growth period of 60–120 days in the monsoon season. Biofertilizers which increase the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) were successfully utilized in vegetables, tuber crops, and banana. Local practices of plant protection avoided 4–5 chemical pesticide sprays (saved about Rs. 4000–5000/ha) and gave 30% increase in yield. Soil application of Trichoderma viride followed by soil drenching with P. fluorescence at 2% recorded the minimum disease incidence (2.77%) and maximum yield of pepper 2.19 kg/vine. By integrating buffaloes and ducks in rice field, in addition to rice and fish in wetlands of Kuttanad, the income can be further increased. With respect to greenhouse gas emission, this system should be promoted to achieve carbon neutrality. The highest amount of carbon sequestration through agroforestry component resulted in the homestead-based Integrated Farming System (IFS) model while the lowest for rice-based model. Hence, integrating the traditional practices with modern technology is the good agricultural practices (GAP) identified in terms of environmental safety and sustainability apart from economic viability. This involves adoption of an integrated approach utilizing farm generated waste, compost, green manure crop, as well as limited use of chemical fertilizer and organic pesticides.

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Blending Traditional Knowledge of Farmers in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies in Coastal Ecosystem of Kerala

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Betty Bastin,
  • Divya Vijayan V,
  • Rajalekshmi K,
  • Smitha John K

摘要

The limitations of land and increased demand to feed the growing population have changed many of the traditional farming practices in Kerala, which have resulted in the adoption of many new technologies practiced elsewhere, not suitable for the agroecology of Kerala. Kerala is predominantly an agricultural state with the main cropping system of rice, being cultivated in three seasons, namely, kharif (virippu), rabi (mundakan), and puncha. Farmers have started intensive cultivation, integrating many of the traditional technologies with modern scientific knowledge so as to achieve the goals of improved soil health, increased crop production, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Soil acidity is an important problem which has to be corrected by liming the soil before starting cultivation. Apart from lime, other sources like biochar, ash, charcoal, and rock dust have been tried to reduce soil acidity and Fe toxicity to improve yield. Inclusion of legumes in coconut basins contributes about 15–25 kg of biomass and 100–200 g of N during a growth period of 60–120 days in the monsoon season. Biofertilizers which increase the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) were successfully utilized in vegetables, tuber crops, and banana. Local practices of plant protection avoided 4–5 chemical pesticide sprays (saved about Rs. 4000–5000/ha) and gave 30% increase in yield. Soil application of Trichoderma viride followed by soil drenching with P. fluorescence at 2% recorded the minimum disease incidence (2.77%) and maximum yield of pepper 2.19 kg/vine. By integrating buffaloes and ducks in rice field, in addition to rice and fish in wetlands of Kuttanad, the income can be further increased. With respect to greenhouse gas emission, this system should be promoted to achieve carbon neutrality. The highest amount of carbon sequestration through agroforestry component resulted in the homestead-based Integrated Farming System (IFS) model while the lowest for rice-based model. Hence, integrating the traditional practices with modern technology is the good agricultural practices (GAP) identified in terms of environmental safety and sustainability apart from economic viability. This involves adoption of an integrated approach utilizing farm generated waste, compost, green manure crop, as well as limited use of chemical fertilizer and organic pesticides.