Indigenous technical knowledge in aquaculture: Practices, evidence and scope for scientific validation

Introduction

Aquaculture is practiced under a wide range of environmental, social and economic conditions. Consequently, production practices developed by farming communities often reflect local water availability, climate, materials, species and resource constraints. Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) refers to knowledge and practices developed through experience and transmitted within communities. Such knowledge is commonly based on observation, repeated use and adaptation to local conditions (Grenier, 1998; Ponnusamy et al., 2009) [1,2] . In aquaculture, ITK has been reported for pond construction and renovation, water and soil management, stocking, feeding, fish-health management, predator control, weather-related decisions, harvesting and postharvest handling (Das et al., 2013; Devi et al., 2014; Gangadhar et al., 2016) [3,4,5] . These practices commonly use materials that are readily available within the farming environment. Their importance is particularly evident in small-scale systems, where access to purchased inputs and specialised technical services may be limited. Published studies also show that the value of an indigenous practice cannot be assumed solely from its continued use. Devi et al. (2014) [4] assessed the rationality and perceived effectiveness of several practices in Assam and recommended validation and refinement before wider application. Similar findings were reported by Devi et al. (2021) [6] , who documented 23 ITKs in fish production and found that only a subset had been assessed for scientific rationale and perceived effectiveness. Thus, the appropriate approach is to document the practice, identify its intended function and test its performance under defined conditions. The need for validation is particularly important where traditional practices involve direct application of plant materials, animal products or other substances to culture water. Piscicidal plants, for example, may contain biologically active compounds, but their effects depend on plant species, plant part, preparation, dose and exposure conditions (Dutta et al., 2019; Narzary et al., 2023) [7,8] . Likewise, traditional diseasemanagement practices require assessment of efficacy, dosage, fish welfare, water quality and possible effects on non-target organisms. ITK may therefore be considered a complementary source of locally relevant knowledge rather than a substitute for established aquaculture science. Practices with demonstrated performance can be further assessed for technical feasibility, cost, safety and compatibility with current production systems. This approach also provides a basis for collaboration among farmers, researchers and extension personnel in testing and refining locally developed practices. Although a number of studies have documented ITK in Indian aquaculture and fisheries, the evidence is distributed across individual regions and production activities. A synthesis is useful for identifying recurring practice areas, distinguishing documented use from demonstrated effectiveness, and defining research needs. Accordingly, this review synthesizes published information on ITK associated with aquaculture production, covering pond preparation, water-quality management, stocking, feeding, piscicidal plants and fish attractants, post-harvest handling, and fish-health management. Particular attention is given to the evidence available for each practice and to the requirements for scientific validation.

Methodology

A literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, Google and relevant academic databases. Search terms included "Indigenous Technical Knowledge," "traditional knowledge," "indigenous practices," "traditional aquaculture practices," "fish farming," "aquaculture," "traditional fish culture," "local knowledge" and "sustainable aquaculture." Research articles, review papers, books, book chapters and institutional reports relevant to ITK in aquaculture and associated fisheries practices were considered. Supplementary information was obtained through communication with researchers, aquaculture professionals, extension personnel and experienced fish farmers. Observations from field-level extension activities were used only as contextual information and were not treated as independently validated evidence. The literature was grouped into the following themes: pond preparation and renovation, water-quality management, stocking, feed management, piscicidal plants and fish attractants, post-harvest practices, and fish-health management. Findings were compared across studies, with particular attention to the method used to document each practice and whether its rationality or effectiveness had been assessed. Farmers used locally available materials to manage predators, unwanted organisms, aquatic weeds and algal problems in ponds.

Results and Discussion

ITK related to pond preparation and renovation

Published studies indicate that pond-management practices are closely linked to local environmental conditions. Kalita et al. (2004) [9] documented the use of low-lying sites, embankment ponds, bamboo fencing and traditional spillways in the Assam hills. Devi et al. (2014) [4] similarly reported bamboo fencing and bamboo-pipe spillways among the documented ITKs in Assam and found these prac-tices to be rational or effective according to the assessment used in that study. These observations indicate the practical use of locally available materials for pond construction and protection, but their performance should be evaluated against site-specific engineering and hydrological requirements. [4] documented practices involving banana stem, banana ash, straw or husk, cow urine and manual disturbance of the water surface. Among these, banana ash and bamboo-based water agitation were assessed as rational in the study, whereas other practices required further investigation. Das et al. (2013) [3] also documented locally developed methods involving plant materials and livestock products for managing algal growth and other pond conditions. Such practices should be evaluated using measurable water-quality parameters rather than effectiveness being inferred from traditional use alone.

ITK related to water quality management

ITK related to fish seed stocking

Traditional stocking practices may incorporate interactions among cultured fish, crops and pond organisms. Devi et al. (2014) [4] documented the use of Puntius sarana for aquatic vegetation control and rice-cum-fish culture using common carp among stocking-related ITKs. The same study reported the use of Labeo gonius and L. cal-basu in relation to dyke protection, although the evidence for this application was less established. Das et al. (2013) [3] documented traditional practices associated with fish-seed production, hatching, transport and reduction of seed mortality. These practices provide useful examples of locally developed management, but their suitability depends on species, stocking density, production system and local conditions. The review grouped ITK across aquaculture operations from site selection and pond construction to breeding, feeding, integrated systems and health management.

Author's and year

ITK related to fish feed management

Feed management is a major component of documented aquaculture ITK. Devi et al. (2014) [4] reported practices involving bamboo, wood, stems and plant branches to encourage periphyton growth, together with plant materials used as feed resources. Das et al. (2013) [3] documented a traditional mixture of mustard oil cake and rice bran, with rice beer included in some cases; reported growth benefits had not been nutritionally validated. Gangadhar et al. (2016) [5] similarly described the use of locally available plant materials, agricultural by-products and periphyton-based systems. These practices indicate efforts to reduce dependence on purchased feed, but nutritional composition, digestibility, feed conversion and fish performance require quantitative assessment. Review of literature on traditional aquaculture practices.

Author's and year

The review described locally available plant materials, agricultural by-products and periphyton-based production as recurring components of indigenous feeding practices.

Piscicidal plants and fish attractants used for catching fish

Piscicidal plants and fish attractants form a distinct group of traditional practices, particularly in relation to fish capture. Devi et al.

(2014) [4] documented the use of Duranta spp. as piscicidal material and branches of saura as fish attractants. Dutta et al. (2019) [7] reviewed approximately 114 piscicidal plant species reported from Northeast India and identified several classes of bioactive com-pounds. Narzary et al. (2023) [8] documented six piscicidal species used traditionally in Chirang district of Assam and noted the need for further investigation of their toxicological mechanisms. These findings are relevant to the documentation of traditional knowledge, but use of a plant as a traditional piscicide should not be interpreted as evidence of suitability for aquaculture. Species identification, active compounds, dose-response relationships, non-target effects and environmental persistence require assessment before any aquaculture application is considered.

Author's and year

Paper title Methodology Major findings Nine piscicidal plants belonging to seven families were documented. Grinding plants into paste and applying them directly was the most frequently reported method. The authors recommended further research on active ingredients and optimal dosage. Sun drying was the main preservation method. Fish were dried on earth, mats, palm leaves and bamboo structures made from locally available materials.

ITK related to post-harvest practices

Roy et al. (2020)

Traditional knowledge of the fishermen community of Indian Sundarbans: An assessment of rationality and effectiveness Documentation of indigenous fishing and associated knowledge among fishing communities in the Indian Sundarbans.

The study recorded traditional knowledge related to fishing, natural fish breeding, marketing and other fisheries practices, with rationality and effectiveness assessed by fishers and experts.

Post-harvest practices are represented in the available ITK literature but remain less extensively studied than production practices. Devi et al. (2014) [4] reported eight post-harvest ITKs, including practices associated with live-fish holding, transport, seed marketing and drying. Panda et al. (2022) [10] documented traditional fish-drying methods in Odisha and reported widespread use of locally constructed drying surfaces and bamboo structures. Such methods can be relevant where access to formal processing infrastructure is limited; however, their per-formance should be assessed with respect to hygiene, contamination, drying rate, storage stability and product quality. The available evidence therefore supports documenting traditional post-harvest methods while assessing them against current foodsafety and quality requirements. Improvements can be directed at the points where contamination, inadequate drying or poor storage conditions are identified. [9] and Das et al. (2013) [3] documented traditional responses to external parasites, disease symptoms, turbidity and low dissolved oxygen. Devi et al. (2014) [4] reported practices involving turmeric, lime, salt, neem and physical removal of parasite eggs, with some practices receiving high perceivedeffectiveness scores in the study population. Perceived effectiveness does not establish therapeutic efficacy. Traditional health-management practices should therefore be tested under controlled laboratory and field conditions, with attention to active components, dose, treatment response, toxicity, fish welfare and effects on water quality. The distinction between a documented practice, a farmer's perception of effectiveness and experimentally demonstrated efficacy should be maintained when interpreting ITK evidence.

ITK related to disease and health management

Conclusion

The literature reviewed here shows that aquaculture communities use locally developed practices across several stages of production, including pond preparation, water-quality management, stocking, feeding, fish health and post-harvest handling. These practices are closely associated with local environmental conditions and the availability of materials and resources (Das et al., 2013; Devi et al., 2014; Gangadhar et al., 2016) [3,4,5] . The evidence is mixed. Some practices have been assessed as rational or effective within specific study areas, while others remain based mainly on reported use or farmer perception (Devi et al., 2014; Devi et al., 2021) [4,6] . Practices involving plant-derived piscicides and disease-management materials require caution because biological activity and safety can vary with species, preparation and dose (Dutta et al., 2019; Narzary et al., 2023) [7,8] . ITK should therefore be treated as a source of testable, location-specific practices rather than as evidence of efficacy. Future studies should document the practice in sufficient detail, identify the intended mechanism or function, and evaluate technical performance, safety, economic feasibility and environmental effects under controlled and field conditions. A practical framework for integrating ITK into aquaculture would involve four stages: documentation of the practice and its local context; assessment of scientific rationale; experimental and field validation; and evaluation of cost, safety and scalability. Greater documentation is also needed from regions and production systems that remain poorly represented in the literature.

References

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12. How to cite this article: Bhandari PT, Thavai A, Shinde SV, Hareendran S, Mangale S, Bhardwaj A, et al. Indigenous technical knowledge in aquaculture: Practices, evidence and scope for scientific validation. International Journal of Research in Agronomy. 2026;SP-9(10):25-29. doi: https://www.doi.org/10.33