Blending Traditional Knowledge of Farmers in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies in the State of Gujarat
摘要
In Gujarat, out of the total reporting area of 18.8 million hectares, 59.2% (11.4 m ha) is covered under cultivation. About 88% of the area of the state is under arid and semi-arid tropics, where the risk and instability in agricultural production and productivity usually remain quite high. Though Gujarat has been performing well since 2000s in agriculture, there are many challenges to overcome to facilitate a sustainable development of agriculture in the state. The state of Gujarat is endowed with a variety of agro-climatic conditions (arid to sub-humid), soils (inceptisols, vertisols and aridisols) and urban, rural and tribal settlements. The inhabitants of different regions of Gujarat practice numerous indigenous technologies for soil and fertility management, water conservation, plant protection, etc. Their scientific basis has been explored in many cases and found to be location specific and cost effective. The newer technologies developed using traditional knowledge blending in scientific approach have shown monetary benefits to farmers through developed varieties and different agro-technologies in various parts of the state. A few benefits of ITK blending are briefed here. The manure made from pseudostems of bananas keeps the soil porous and also increases WHC, which is equivalent to FYM application of about 20 t/ha and Rs 12,500/ in terms of monetary benefit. Adoption of alternate row planting and the use of a natural farming system using NADEP manure, Jivamrut and Amritpani in banana and papaya crops can get higher yield and quality produce with an additional net realization of Rs. 70,000/ha. The use of 1 litre of potash-mobilizing bacteria in potato crops gives higher tuber yield and saving of 25% (55 kg/ha) of K fertilizer. Drip irrigation using stored water in banana cultivation increased fruit yields by about 20%, which is equivalent to monetary benefit of about Rs. 25,000. The indigenous practices of plant protection in the crops protect the environment too and reduce the use of chemical insecticides/pesticides in the range of Rs. 5200 to 7100/ha besides increasing the farmer’s income. Further, by linking the knowledge of traditional systems with scientific technologies, the current methods of agriculture on the management of soil, water, nutrients, water and energy conservation, alternative farming systems, use of improved crop varieties, etc., proved better as adopted by the farmers in Gujarat.