Farm Profile Attributes and Adoption of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) for Crop Management by Rice-Growing Farmers in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This study aims to identify farm profile attributes and uses of Indigenous Technical Knowledge to pest and nutrient management by rice-growing farmers in Tamil Nadu. A total of 60 respondents were used which 10 farmers selected by snowball sampling from Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Karaikal, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu and Karaikal in Puducherry. The main purpose of the study was to gather information from organic farmers for crop pest and nutrient management in rice. The results of this study reveal that majority of the farmers having secondary level of education (31.67%), the majority of respondents up to twenty years of organic farming experience (75%), Majority of respondents contacts with extension officials of Agriculture Officer (45%), information obtained through mass media (73%) and 45% of respondents actively participating in social activities. From nutrient sources Panchagavya has been mostly used almost 68% of the farmers followed by Cow dung (30%). In Panchagavya preparation Meenamilam is found to be used at the rate of 10ml/ lit by majority (68.33%) of the farmers of Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur districts. The other commonly used ITK concoctions include Jeevamirtham 20 (ml/lit), Amirthakaraisal 10 (ml/lit), five leaf extract 30 (ml/lit), 3G extract 50 (ml/lit), Themorkaraisal 100 (ml/lit). Almost 50- 60 percent of the farmers have their crops affected with pests or diseases and very few of them mitigate this issue by the use of organic sources and with the help of extension officials. This study indicated that farmers are gaining more knowledge on organic farming and its importance. Anyhow, education has to be provided to those who are in the progress of practising organic farming. Pest management strategies and trainings need to be offered to the farmers and the officials and scientists are willing to provide knowledge to the farmers as this of prime concern in agriculture.