IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE(S) REGARDING PEST CONTROL METHODS IN AGRICULTURE

K. PRADHAN¹, ZIGME YOLMO², AVISHEK SAHA³*, C. VARA PRASAD^4
1Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari –736165, Coochbehar, West Bengal
²Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, 736165, Coochbehar, West Bengal
³Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, 736165, Coochbehar, West Bengal
⁴Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, 736165, Coochbehar, West Bengal
* Corresponding Author : avishek.extension.2014@gmail.com

Received : 30-06-2017     Accepted : 22-07-2017     Published : 18-08-2017
Volume : 9     Issue : 38       Pages : 4580 - 4584
Int J Agr Sci 9.38 (2017):4580-4584

Keywords : Indigenous technological knowledge, climate change, plant protection, chemical pesticides
Academic Editor : Dr Krishna Rolania
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author are thankful to Department of Agricultural Extension, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari –736165, Coochbehar, West Bengal
Author Contribution : All author equally contributed

The study was conducted to identify and document the various indigenous technological knowledge regarding indigenous methods for pest control in agriculture gathered and applied through experiences of the local people in north eastern part of India. This indigenous technological knowledge is based on the experiences of the people over a period at a given place. The information, thus, were collected from the selected informants of the given area and documented in a systematic manner based on some attributes. In recent times, climate change has taken place with its significant and most observable impacts on various aspects of agriculture. Subsequently, plant protection, now a day, has become a serious matter because due to changes in climate, the ecology and biology of different insect pests are also changing which makes pest control mechanisms more difficult and complex. Moreover, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides in agricultural field not only develops resistance in the pests but also leads to environmental degradation. On the other hand, there are some indigenous people who are still following some indigenous practices in case of controlling the pests in their agricultural fields through using locally available plans and low-cost resources. The basis of these indigenous technological knowledge has its base deep rooted into the experiences of their ancestors being passed on from generation to generation. As these ITKs fulfil the criteria of cultural and environmental compatibility and are also economically feasible, therefore, an appropriate blend between the indigenous knowledge system and scientific knowledge system regarding pest control methods should be considered during formulation of an effective and efficient crop protection strategy for ensuring sustainable agricultural development.

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