Keywords: Indigenous technical knowledge, Dairy enterprise, Tamil Nadu. IPC Int. Cl.8: ..... Publications of local innovation in regional magazines by providing.
Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 8(2), April 2009, pp. 206-211
Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in dairy enterprise in coastal Tamil Nadu K Ponnusamy1* Jancy Gupta2 & R Nagarajan3 1 Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; 2Dairy Extension Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana; 3Division of Agronomy, TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Received 15 September 2006; revised 22 December 2007 Indigenous Technical Knowledge evolved from the experiences of farmers found to possess practical utility in solving some of the farmer’s problems under their own conditions. A study undertaken in two coastal districts of Tamil Nadu helped to document various ITKs in dairying. The validation of ITKs with 25 scientists showed varied level of validity scores. The constraints in adopting ITKs as perceived by the farmers are also reported. Keywords: Indigenous technical knowledge, Dairy enterprise, Tamil Nadu IPC Int. Cl.8:
A01K
It is well recognized that the introduction of standardized technological packages has contributed a lot to the development of crop and dairy enterprises. These packages are based on the logic of top down technology transfer, which resulted in the weakening of local knowledge. It is observed that only limited number of technologies generated by National Agricultural Research System is being adopted by farmers, which indicate that the farmers are still in touch with their Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK). In this context, it is pertinent to identify and preserve these traditional technologies in order to sustain the productivity and protect the ecosystem. It will also help to develop alternatives to ecologically damaging agricultural practices, which will lead to sustainability in the long run. With this backup, a study was undertaken to identify, document and validate the ITKs practiced by the farmers in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Methodology The study was carried out in Tiruvallur and Thanjavur districts of Tamil Nadu during December 2004 to April 2005. A multistage random sampling was applied to draw the samples for the study. Two coastal blocks in each identified district and 2 villages in each block were selected to draw a sample of 150. The ITKs in dairy enterprise were documented through interaction and discussion with farmers of the ______________ *Corresponding author
study area. Validity refers to the degree to which the data are realistic. The validation of ITK was done with a group of researchers for their relevance in scientific scenario. The selected technologies, which the farmers concern mostly, were sent for scrutiny. These were circulated to 25 scientists for their responses on 3-point validity continuum and the responses were scored 5, 3 and 1 for valid, not considered and not valid, respectively1. Thus, one ITK could get a maximum score of 125 and a minimum of 25. Constraints in adopting ITKs were also ascertained by questioning the respondents directly and thereafter ranking was done on the basis of frequency or percentages. Results and discussion The important ITKs with their validity score were indicated (Table 1). It was observed that even scientists have a varied level of perception on different ITK practices. A total of 59 formulations have been presented with the validity scores. Of which, 80% of the formulations (47 out of 59) were claimed to have the score of above 80, indicating their wider usage and applicability in the field of ethnoveterinary practice. Moreover, the higher scores have been obtained in these ITKs as a result of points rated under ‘scientifically valid’ column; hence well established. Whereas the ITKs with lower scores cannot be neglected, because the farmers in the coastal regions (experimental areas) are still following them. Hence, these formulations are to be further
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Table 1−Validity scores of ITK assigned by scientists (N=25) Indigenous Technical Knowledge Breeding To induce heat paste of two number of coconut (Cocus nucifera) and 70 gm of Toon (Cederalla toona) is given with neem oil for 3 days. Juice of Agave sisalana (kattalai) is given for 1 week and then water soaked Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) is given for 3 days to induce heat and enhance animal’s growth. Tribulus terrestris (Nerinji), moringa flowers, Adalsa (Adhatoda vasica) with 300 ml of neem oil is given in the night and next morning hot water soaked cloth is pressed in the vagina (to avoid the wastage of sperm). Mixture of leaves of Ficus bengalensis (Banyan tree), Ficus religiosa (Peepul tree), mango and neem is given for 5 days.
Scientifically valid
Not considered
Not valid
Validity score
8
10
7
77
16
7
2
103
17
6
2
105
4
14
7
69
4
14
7
69
8
10
7
77
6
10
9
69
14
7
4
95
16
6
3
101
17
7
1
107
18
5
2
107
19
6
-
113
10
12
3
89
8
11
6
79
12
4
9
81
19
4
2
109
18
5
2
107
20
4
1
113
15
5
5
95
13
6
6
89
17
6
2
105 (Contd)
To remove the placenta Powder of Toon (Cederella toona) and mango nut is given to animals. 3-4 seeds of Indian liquorice (Abrus precatorius) mixed with boiled brinjal is given. Jamoon (Syzygium jambos) bark decoction is given to animals. After parturition, 1 kg of non-parboiled rice gruel and ¼ kg of palm gur is given to cows. CaCO3 solution (100-150 ml) is given for 3 months after parturition to avoid milk fever. Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) with fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraceum), coconut, black gram (Vigna mungo) and palm gur mixed with water is given to the animals for 3 days to improve the milk yield. 4 kg each of cotton seeds, horse gram and Bengal gram soaked in water is fed to the animal. Feeding Glyricidia (G.maculata) is given to animals to increase lactation. Dried flowers of Madhuca latifolia (Illupai) is given to improve the working efficiency of the bullock. Prosopis julifera fruits with gur and rice flour is given to improve digestibility. Tamarind seeds are roasted and outer coats are removed; these are soaked in water and given to the animals to improve lactation. 4 kg each of cotton seed, Bengal gram and horse gram are soaked, ground and fed to the animals to improve lactation. Seeds of subabul (Leuceana leucocephala) are fed to animals to improve the milk secretion. For general debilitation, indigestion and lack of appetite Extracts of Omum (Trachyspermum ammi), black cumin (Nigella sativa), pepper (Piper nigrum), gingelly (Sesamum indicum) and cardamom (Elettaria cardomomum) are given to cure digestibility problems. Leaves of mint (Mentha viridis), peepul and omum, salt and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) are given to cure indigestion. To improve the digestibility Asafoetida (Ferula asafetida) ground with gur is given to animals as balls. Pepper, gur and betel leaf (Piper betle) powder is given to animals.
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Table 1−Validity scores of ITK assigned by scientists (N=25)—Contd Indigenous Technical Knowledge Indigestion Betel leaf and pepper ground and mixed with coconut oil is given to induce appetite. Powder of sweet flag (Acorus calamus), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), pepper, cardamom and country gur is given to animals for curing indigestion, diarrhoea and general debilitation. Lack of appetite Agave sisalana is peeled and kept in the roof during night and given to animals in the morning. Paste of Harjora-Pirandai (Cissus quadrangularis), salt, tamarind fruit, chillies is put in a cloth and tied around the mouth for 2 hrs. Diarrhoea 3 gm of thorn apple (Datura stramonium) seeds, 20 gm arecanut and 500 gm white clay mixed with rice gruel is given twice a day. Leaves of kolinji (Tephrosia purpurea) mixed with carved coconut, cumin and dried chillies are fed to animals. Cotton seeds and 4-5 leaves of Portia tree (Thespesia populnia) boiled in water is given to animals. Leaves of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) or tender sapota is given to animals. Orilai thamarai (Hybanthus enneaspermus), curd from buffalo and cumin are mixed and given to animals.
Scientifically valid
Not considered
Not valid
Validity score
15
7
3
99
20
4
1
113
15
6
4
97
10
11
4
87
20
5
-
115
14
6
5
93
16
7
2
103
18
4
3
105
13
9
3
95
17
4
4
101
15
4
6
93
17
4
4
101
16
8
1
105
14
6
5
93
18
5
2
107
12
3
10
79
18
2
5
101
20
3
2
111
20
5
--
115
15
5
5
95
Constipation Fibers of silk cotton (Ceiba petandra) soaked in castor oil is given to the animals. 200 gm castor seeds ground and mixed with 250 ml water are given; it also acts against ulcer. 200 gm of gur dissolved in water is given. Jaundice Turmeric paste made into arecanut size is given. Urinary problems Leaf powder of Datura stramonium mixed with honey is given. Powder of 10 gm coriander and 10 gm pepper mixed with 100 ml sesame oil is given. Intestinal worms Powder of Subabul seeds mixed with water is given to goats. Leaves, flowers and bark of neem along with 100 gm of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seeds are given for 3 days. Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) Sesame oil, lard and banana mixed thoroughly are fed orally to cattle for the treatment of FMD to heal the ulcers in the mouth. Gloriosa superba tuber and neem oil mixed together and boiled is applied on the wounds. Paste of roots and shoots of Astrocantha longifolia (Neermulli) is smeared over the hooves.
(Contd)
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Table 1−Validity scores of ITK assigned by scientists (N=25)—Contd Indigenous Technical Knowledge Mixture paste of black night shade (Solanum nigrum), tender harjora (Cissus quadrangularis), salt, dried ginger, white pepper and cumin is given as balls for 3 days.
Scientifically valid
Not considered
Not valid
Validity score
12
5
8
83
14
6
5
93
5
10
10
65
12
7
6
87
9
9
7
79
9
10
7
82
14
8
3
97
13 16
9 4
3 5
95 97
8
8
9
73
13
7
5
91
9
9
7
79
7
9
9
71
12
8
5
89
15
3
7
91
13
7
5
91
10
8
7
81
18
4
3
105
Fever and other diseases Paste of turmeric (50 gm), ajwan (100 gm) and rocksalt (200 gm) is applied on tongue. Milk fever Leaves of indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) made as tablets are given to animals. Breathing diseases Leaf juice of Kandankathiri (Solanum surattense) is applied in the nostrils of cattle and goats. Acalypha indica (Kuppaimeni) mixed with sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf juice is given to cure cough. Bone fracture Melted bovine fat is applied on the affected place. Paste prepared from egg and black gram (Vigna mungo) is applied and bamboo stick is tied around the fractured bone. To cure the wounds Juice of sacred basil mixed with camphor is applied on the wounds. Leaf juice of thumbai (Leucus lavandulaefolia) is applied on the wounds. Sprain Bark powder of the jamoon tree (Syzyzium jumbos) is applied. Lemon juice and chalk powder (CaCO3) mixed with water is applied on the udder; 250 gm of coriander is fed twice a day to cure swollen udder. Dislocation of bones Sesame oil and camphor are heated, cooled and applied on the affected place. Poisonous bites Juice of sacred basil and Acalypha indica is poured in the nostrils. Paste of Aristolochia gigas (pelican flower) mixed with equal quantity of butter is given to the animal. Lice and fleas Powder of sweet flag (Acorus calamus) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaf juice is smeared over the body. Powdered naphthalene balls are applied all over the body and washed with water. Eye-related diseases Crepe jasmine (Erratamia coronaria), thumbai, and clove (Syzyzium aromaticum) are taken in equal quantity; extract of the mixture is applied on the eyes. Bloat Jaggery, garlic and ginger paste is given to animals.
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Table 2−Constraints perceived by the respondents regarding use of ITK and their ranking (N=150) Reasons for non-adoption
Frequency
Percentage
Rank
126 94 78 74 65 62 40 31
84.00 62.67 52.00 49.33 43.33 41.33 26.67 20.67
I II III IV V VI VII VIII
ITK takes long time to cure the animal’s disease Many herbs are extinct Inconvenience and time consuming Many ITKs become extinct due to non-practice by the younger generation ITK is not a complete panacea for maintaining animals Lack of ability to identify right plants Incompatibility of ITK with modern techniques ITK has no written document
tested in order to prove their efficiency. The resource constraints of dairy farmers and escalating costs of high-tech dairying make it imperative to seek an alternative in the form of blending of indigenous knowledge with modern dairying. The ITKs, which have a high level of validity scores, should be given lot of importance by the extension agents as it will greatly reduce the expenditure on animal health and welfare to the farmers. Efforts should be made to preserve various plants, which have high economic importance in terms of preventive and curative properties2,3. In many situations, lack of knowledge for processing herbs, lack of time to document and validate ITKs and lack of knowledge for development of suitable dosage forms hinder the wider use of ITKs for field applications. If ITKs were used in farming systems along with frontier technologies developed by the agricultural scientists, it would be more practical and not only, the farmers would adopt quickly, but also increase the beneficiary, practicability and acceptability of technology4. It is better to take note on the importance of the mixture made of Gloriosa superba tuber and neem oil against FMD; Datura, arecanut and white clay against enteritis; Trychyspermum ammi, pepper, black cumin and gingelly for promoting general health; and feeding of glyricidia for better growth, as reflecting from the highest scores obtained. The kind of validity through experimental approach will help in developing a new herbal mixture of drugs for the effective treatment of various ailments in dairy animals as well as in other livestock species. Various constraints as reported by farmers in adopting the ITKs are listed with frequency and rankings (Table 2). Existing constraints found in the adoption of ITKs pose a major threat to the sustainability of dairy farming in rural India. In the context of above constraints as perceived by the farmers in adopting
ITKs, certain practical strategies and interventions need to be devised and implemented for effectively utilising ITKs for the economic benefits to farmers. The farmers practicing ITKs should be made partners with research scientists for evolving appropriate technologies. Local ITK practitioners need to be honoured and recognized. Publications of local innovation in regional magazines by providing name and photograph of the innovators can motivate traditional practitioners to disseminate their knowledge. Preparation of slide shows, videos, news documentaries and educational materials involving the traditional healers would result in more positive efforts. These traditional healers need to be linked with institutions and NGOs that have experience in local resources for effective utilization of ITKs. Efforts should be made to store the information in simple files managed by villagers themselves. Conclusion Many farmers who have a scientific approach and practical knowledge in dealing with various farming systems and technologies can hardly document their experience. The coastal agro-ecosystem offers a lot of scope in documenting variety of indigenous technical knowledge. The ITKs documented on dairy enterprise could help the scientific community and farmers to use them to the best advantage of themselves. References 1
2
3
Seeralan S, Documentation and validation of indigenous technical knowledge of animal husbandry in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, (MSc Thesis, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana), 2004. Karthickeyan SMK & Gajendran K, Indigenous technical know-how in the healthcare of domestic animals, Indian J Traditional Knowledge, 4 (4) (2004) 462-463. Sabarathnam VE, Rapid, Relaxed and Participatory Rural Appraisal (Participatory Learning and Action) for Research
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and Extension in Agriculture (for crops and livestock), (Vamsaravath Publishers, Hyderabad), 2002. Raiput OP, ITK - a low cost technology in farming system. In: Alternative Farming Systems: Enhanced Income and
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Employment Generation Options for Small and Marginal Farmers (Ed) Singh AK, Gangwar B & Sharma SK, Farming Systems Research and Development Association, (PDCSR, Meerut, UP), 2005, 184-189.
