INTERGENERATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SKILL TRANSFER AMONG KHARWAR-AGRARIAN TRIBALS

S.P. MAURYA¹*, N. JAYA², R.P. MAURYA^3
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Community Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, 224229, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
²Retd. Professor, HDFS, Sri Avinashilingam Institute of Home Science and Higher Education, Deemed University, Coimbatore, 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
³Retd. Professor, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, 224229; Director, PRSARD, Deoria, 274702, Uttar Pradesh, India
* Corresponding Author : drsuman1963@gmail.com

Received : 05-05-2022     Accepted : 28-05-2022     Published : 30-05-2022
Volume : 14     Issue : 5       Pages : 11367 - 11370
Int J Agr Sci 14.5 (2022):11367-11370

Keywords : Tribes of India, Children of farm women, Indigenous knowledge, Socialization, Skills transfer in agriculture
Academic Editor : Dr Manjunatha V., Dr B. S. Vyakarnahal, Dr Renu Agrawal
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Sri Avinashilingam Institute of Home Science and Higher Education, Deemed University, Coimbatore, 641043, Tamil Nadu, India and ICAR, New Delhi for providing fellowship for this research. Authors are also thankful Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kaimur, Bihar; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Community Science, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, 224229, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

India has been agricultural country but the trend has been decreasing from 85% to present about 70% population depends on agriculture. India has a diversified topology that allows the farmers to grow a variety of traditional and contemporary crops and plantations. Farming in India has been a traditional occupation from times unknown where the older generation provides opportunities, trains and educates the younger generation and children the art and science of farming. Somehow this tradition is breaking in most of the rural areas. An ex-post facto study conducted with the Kharwar tribe of Kaimur district, Bihar to understand the ways of tribe’s relationship with their ecology. It was observed that Khawar families involved children in certain agricultural operations with the intention of keep children familiar of the operations of farming like winnowing, transferring paddy seedling to the fields for transplantation while older children learnt to plough their lands as being the third plougher in the row after the adult farmers. Children were encouraged to imitate and participate in agriculture and non-agricultural activities which manifested in their play. Parents took their children as early as seven years, to transfer traditional indigenous knowledge while their visit to the forest mainly to collect appropriate food and leaves and fruits that can fetch them cash. It is concluded that while learning family occupation skills is important for preservation of indigenous knowledge through intergenerational skill and knowledge transfer to children of the family, their rights should be protected. For attracting younger generation to the noble profession of agriculture, involvement of children through early intervention from young age through walks to agriculture fields, observing the various operations, supporting appropriate activities around agriculture by their caretakers and teachers is recommended as long-term goal. Educating parents of the importance of occupational socialization and agriculture and practical as part of school curriculum with farmer’s interface