Agro-biodiversity management related ITKs in North-Eastern India

Abstract

North eastern India is not only rich in biodiversity but also in agro- biodiversity of crops. Range of crops both cereals and non – cereals are cultivated in diverse habitats both in hills and plains. Rice being the staple food crops, hundreds of land races in itself makes the diversity of rice crops. Crops cultivated in the organic farming system are managed using unique indigenous technique/ traditional knowledge (ITKs) based methods by different farming communities in the region beginning from the sowing of seeds till the harvesting of crops. The diversity of ITKs that include ITKs for seed germination and sowing, ITKs for preparation of land and organic manures, ITKs for management of crops at different phenological stages of crops using unique agronomic practices, ITKs for post-harvest storages, ITKs for the control against pests and pathogens etc. Some of the ITKs being practiced by the traditional farmers may be considered as an important agricultural input for the sustainable management of crops in the organic farming system-a common practice in north east. Diversity of crops related ITKs for the management of crops in different parts of North-eastern region are enumerated together with the scientific rationales attached with the concerned ITK holder with emphasis on ITKs related to rice crops management are presented and discussed in this paper.

Keywords: Agro-biodiversity, ITKs (Indigenous technical knowledge), Organic farming system, Green revolution, scientific rationale