INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE (ITK) ON SEEDS FOR AGRICULTURE SUSTAINABILITY IN KALYANA, KARNATAKA REGION OF INDIAUmesh Hiremath, Basave Gowda, G.Y. Lokesh and B.S. GanigerAbstract The prime improvement in agricultural systems be fallen with traditional knowledge before the contemporary findings of agricultural research and development and many farmers still depend on traditional knowledge. Seed plays a vital role in achieving the production and productivity of a desired crop and use of traditional seed treatment and storage methods are prominent in some parts of India. Hence, a study was conducted with an objective of documenting and disseminating the indigenous traditional knowledge pertaining to seeds prevalent among the farmers in Raichur district of Karnataka by adopting ex-post facto design and sampling technique was mainly based on random selection. From the study it was obvious that farmers have evolved and adopted several mechanisms for seed selection, seed production, seed treatment, and storage. Indigenous traditional practices on seeds espoused by farmers like use of common salt, neem leaves powder, camphor, lime, neem leaves, garlic cloves, salt and chilli powder, neem oil in seed storage, sun drying of seeds, seed treatment with ash, sand-seed layer method of storage, smearing storage bins with cow dung, and seed storage with wood/cow dung ash are described along with scientific rationale behind these aboriginal practices. The study concludes that indigenous traditional knowledge and practices are useful for sustenance and these guardians of indigenous knowledge compose a prominent role in agricultural development. Before such valuable knowledge gets lost, it would be prudent to guard and encourage indigenous knowledge and wisdom extensively for self-sustenance with a motto to diminish paucity and starvation among native folks. |