Life Science Archives (LSA) - Home JPS Scientific … FARMING SYSTEM OF TAMIL NADU T. Raj Pravin*, 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension,

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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

T. Raj Pravin/Life Science Archives (LSA), Volume – 1, Issue – 5, Page – 298 to 321, 2015 299


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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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




Photos 24. Coconut fencing

Benefit


Photo 25. Palmyrah trunk as water channel

Benefits

Low cost structures made from locally available resources.



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.



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.



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.

Documents

Life Science Archives (LSA) - Home JPS Scientific … FARMING SYSTEM OF TAMIL NADU T. Raj Pravin*, 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension,