Knowledge of the tribal farmers on indigenous agricultural practices in paddy cultivation in the Pachaimalai hills of Tiruchirappalli district in Tamil Nadu

Introduction

Indigenous learning encompasses the knowledge that native individuals within a specific community have developed. It is based on understanding, often tested over a long period of application, adapted to local culture and traditions, dynamically evolving, and emphasizes risk minimization rather than profit maximization. The knowledge, skills, and survival strategies of indigenous farmers, who operate with limited external resources, have frequently been overlooked in the advancement of modern agriculture (Kanjikar, 2019; Qusti, et al., 2018) [3,5] . The indigenous knowledge possessed by farmers holds a scientific rationale and significant relevance for agricultural productivity and sustainability. Indigenous learning is recognized as socially acceptable, economically viable, sustainable, and involves the least risky and rural farmers and producers. The failure of modern chemical farming to bring prosperity to agricultural and farming communities, the increase in pest attacks on crops, the degradation of soil and water resources, and the costs to human and animal health have encountered numerous limitations. The researcher aims to investigate whether indigenous practices are inherent to the tribes as farmers through their traditional wisdom. Although current challenges exacerbate issues in agricultural development within tribal areas, there is a need to adapt to modern agriculture. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify the essence of Indigenous learning in paddy cultivation among the tribes of Pachaimalai Hills Yasin et al., (2020) [11] .

Methodology

This study was conducted based on the hypothesis and objectives to evaluate the knowledge level of tribal respondents concerning indigenous agricultural practices, aiming to provide a clear understanding of the local area. The research took place in the Pachaimalai Hills of the Tiruchirapalli district in Tamil Nadu. Pachaimalai Hill was purposefully chosen due to the prevalence of paddy cultivation in the region. The hill comprises thirty revenue villages, and from the ten villages with the highest tribal populations, twelve were selected from the entire hilly area. A total of 130 tribal respondents were chosen through the proportionate random sampling method. First-hand information was collected and forwarded to various experts, including SAU scientists, professors, State Agricultural Department officials, Research Station staff, and KVK representatives, to create a well-structured interview schedule. The data collected were analyzed using suitable statistical tools, and the results were carefully examined. The collected data were subjected to appropriate statistical www.extensionjournal.com analyses to derive meaningful interpretations and conclusions Velavan. The socio-economic profile of respondents revealed that 40% were middle-aged, 29.23% were young, and 30.77% were old. About 24.62% were illiterate, while others had varying levels of education up to graduate level. Most respondents (43.08%) had an annual income between ₹50,001-₹75,000, and 30.77% engaged in agriculture along with labor work. A majority (86.15%) lived in joint families, and 55.38% had landholdings up to 2.5 acres. Over half (54.62%) had more than years of farming experience. Low social participation was observed in www.extensionjournal.com 69.23% of respondents. About 53.85% belonged to the low socio-economic category. Mass media exposure and source of information were mostly at medium levels. Information sharing was moderate in 56.92% of respondents. In terms of innovativeness, 52.31% adopted new practices after seeing others, while 45.38% followed agricultural officers' advice.

Results and Discussion

Socio economic characteristics of the respondents

Regarding progressiveness and risk-bearing capacity, the majority fell into the medium-level category. Similar findings are also reported by Limpo. 2011) [6] . The above [9] . The Table also revealed that out of 3 indigenous practices in Soil Fertility Management, all practices were known correctly by more than 40% of respondents. Decomposing leaves, crop residues, and forest waste was most recognized with 53.1% fully correct, followed by ploughing with thorn plough in summer (46.9%), and broadcasting FYM and forest residue mixture (43.1%). The mean value for fully correct responses was 62.00%, with 42.33% partially correct and 25.67% incorrect. This shows a relatively good understanding of traditional fertility enhancement practices, supported by Gosai Kuldip et al. (2011) [2] . From the above Table, it is interesting to see that both indigenous practices under Water Conservation and Irrigation in Paddy were known by a good number of respondents. Irrigating rice fields by canals and groundwater had 51.5% fully correct responses, while bucket irrigation using leather-handled buckets had 41.5%. The mean fully correct response was 60.5%, with 44.0% partially correct and 25.5% incorrect. These practices have been passed down through generations, which supports the findings of Smith Mishra et al. (2012) [4] . The Table observed that out of 13 indigenous practices in Plant Protection, many practices were moderately known among the respondents. The highest was applying neem oil and castor cake (52.3%), followed by rice bran + kerosene pellet application (50.0%), and neem leaf and cake application (47.7%). However, practices like using standing maize cobs to control insects and identifying rust in "khajulaiyan" trees had lower fully correct responses (32.3% and 34.6% respectively). [3] . The data in the above table reveals that a majority of the respondents (61.54%) had a high level of knowledge regarding the subject, followed by 29.23 percent with a medium level of knowledge. Only 9.23 percent of the respondents were found to have a low level of knowledge. This finding contrasts with the results reported by Poovarasan. www.extensionjournal.com The data revealed that out of the fifteen independent variables, namely education status, farming experience, annual income, farm size, social participation, mass media exposure, information source, information sharing behaviour, innovativeness, progressiveness, and risk bearing capacity were found to be positively and significantly correlated with the knowledge of the farmers towards indigenous agricultural practices. However, variables such as age and occupation were found to have a moderate positive association, while family type and socio-economic status exhibited no significant correlation with the knowledge level of the farmers on indigenous agricultural practices.

Knowledge on indigenous agricultural practices by the tribal farmers

Conclusion

It was concluded that a majority of the respondents were of middle age (36-45 years), most had attained only basic levels of education, and a significant portion were involved in agriculture combined with labor activities. A majority of the respondents had an annual income between ₹50,001-₹75,000 and landholdings up to 2.5 acres. Most of them lived in joint families and had high farming experience, with medium levels of extension contact, social participation, information source utilization, and risk-bearing capacity.

Regarding their knowledge level on indigenous agricultural practices in paddy cultivation, 61.54 percent of the respondents had a high level of knowledge, followed by 29.23 percent with medium, and only 9.23 percent with low knowledge. Subsequently, the independent variables such as education status, farming experience, annual income, farm size, social participation, mass media exposure, information source, information-sharing behavior, innovativeness, progressiveness, and risk-bearing capacity were found to be positively and significantly correlated with the knowledge of tribal farmers toward indigenous agricultural practices in paddy cultivation. However, age and occupation showed a moderate positive association, while family type and socioeconomic status did not show any significant correlation

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