Abstract

                                Four micro level and one macro level researches were conducted to document and analyze the Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) prevalent among the farmers in Tamil Nadu. The ITKs were collected from farmers in wetland, garden land and rainfed farming systems available in the state. As many as 1200 ITKs were documented. They were analyzed and grouped. They were found to be relevant to agriculture and allied activities. The document ITKs were analyzed for their rationality by checking them with subject matter specialists and extension personnel. The ITKs were checked with the farmers to understand their level of awareness and extent of adoption by farmers and dairy farmers. Nearly 66 per cent of the collected ITKs were judged as rational. Among the farmers, 42.78 per cent had low awareness followed by 32.09 and 25.13 per cent who had medium and high level awareness respectively. The adoption level of ITKs in agriculture was low with 43.85 per cent followed by 31.55 and 24.60 per cent who had adopted at medium and high levels respectively. Regarding awareness about ITKs on dairy 48, 30 and 22 per cent had low, medium and high levels respectively. Almost similar trend was noticed in the percentage of adopters of ITKS on dairy. The paper will highlight researches specifically conducted in different farming systems in Tamil Nadu. It contains suggestions on field testing, standardising and blending ITKs with modern technologies for recommending them to the farming community through the field extension personnel.

Key words : Farming systems and indigenous knowledge