Potential of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) through Agricultural Extension in Selected Districts of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Recapitulating the golden nuggets referring to agriculture in literature will rejuvenate the spirit of farming community and make them involved in their occupation with renewed zeal. The present study was conducted with major objectives to study the awareness of farmers on traditional agricultural practices, to assess popular agricultural references in Tamil literature and their perception of scope for agricultural development and also to elicit information on the awareness of farmers on Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) practices in livestock rearing and their perception on adoption of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) Practices. The study indicates that majority takes pride in agriculture, but only 57.65 per cent want their wards to practice the profession. Less than 50 per cent feel that there is no future for agriculture. They cannot unanimously vouch for the respect for agriculture in the future. When the farmers were asked to list for adoption of ITK practices all the farmers responded that the IT results in low cost in the livestock management. 95.56 per cent of the farmers opined that ITK) results in the increasing quality of milk, quality of egg and meat. 93.61 per cent of farmers felt that ITK practices are more suitable for organic farming especially for raising the fodder. When the farmers were asked to cite the demerits of the Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) practices, all the farmers responded that the native breeds have a high mortality rate.