A Study on Indigenous Technical Knowledge of Tribal Farmers in Agriculture and Livestock Sectors of Koraput District

Abstract

Indian people are living in varied agro-climatic situations with rich cultural values in diversified societies. ITK system consists of an integrated body of knowledge system tends to focus on different aspects of agricultural sciences .  Odisha is a state populated by several indigenous communities, most of which have their own set of unique traditional knowledge and technology base. The majority of the tribal farmers had a favorable attitude towards ITK in the agriculture and livestock sectors. The flow of indigenous knowledge communication is necessary for the preservation, development, and sustainability of local wisdom. It can be concluded that about 56% of agricultural ITKs are rational against 44 % are non-rational. Similarly, 62 % of ITKs found in the livestock sector are rational while 38 per cent are non-rational. The rate of adoption in livestock ITKs was 75 per cent, and for agriculture 65.72% significantly higher rate of adoption in livestock than in agriculture. Mainly, the farmer's traditional knowledge is vital for all the well-being categories for sustainable development as it has evolved after thousands of years of observation and experience. ITKs being low in cost, it will also benefit the national economy, besides sustainable agricultural development.