Suggestions for Promoting Indigenous Knowledge System for Attaining Sustainable Agricultural Development in Dryland Areas

K. Kanaga Sabapathi  &  J. Vasantha Kumar

Department of Agricultural Extension, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu, India
Presenting Author: Prof. Dr. K. Kanaga Sabapathi
e-mail: kksabapathi@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Today’s major effort in agriculture is focused on the sector of modern science and technology. Compared to modern science and technology, the traditional wisdom remains less known. Consequently all the education, research and training systems are organized around the modern science and technology. However, a small section of activists among the research and extension systems have been speaking about “learning from people” and the importance of traditional systems. Of late, more scientists and technologists besides educationists are increasingly realizing the importance of indigenous knowledge. In this paper suggestions are provided for the better utilization of indigenous agricultural practices towards attaining sustainable agricultural development in drylands.
The suggestions are as follows:

• Recording indigenous practices of drylands
• Making the dryland farmers to feel proud of their indigenous knowledge and practices
• Changing the attitude of scientists and extension workers, working in drylands
• Developing participatory research and technology for dry land farmers
• Introducing changes in curriculum system in formal university setup to cater to the needs of dry land farmers
• Introducing new extension approaches towards increasing agricultural production in drylands