Traditional wisdom of farmers: An experience towards the sustainable development of livestock

Abstract

Blending of results of informal experimentation and age-old experiences gained by the livestock owners has resulted in adoption of many practices, which are commonly known as Indigenous knowledge (lK) or Traditional Wisdom. Keeping in view the importance of various features of farmers' knowledge about livestock, the present study was conducted in the eastern part of Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh among Yadav community by using the anthropological approach of participant study. Surveys included individuals and wise men other than farmers.<br>

From the study it has been observed that, when farmers purchase the milching animals, they evaluate some important parts of body such as head, jaw, teeth, eyes, horn, tail, legs, hooves, neck, thighs, teats, udder, hump, dewlap, skin and spots on body parts and mammary glands of animals. With the help of special sound making, mucus secretion from vaginal tract and duration and quality of milk, farmers take sound decision for knowing heat period of female animals. In case of low sterility, farmers give special treatment to induce heat. Leaves of <i>manpalla, </i>beets of pigeon, and shoot of <i>kareel </i>(new growing shoot of a bamboo) are used to induce heat period in female animals. The wisdom of farmers regarding livestock has rationality and it is transmitted from one place to other through indigenous media. On account of these

<span style="mso-bidi-language:HI">findings it is concluded that farmers' knowledge for selecting milching and non-milching animals is inherited over generations and developed by indigenous initiatives and is based on logic which matches the needs and social custom of farmers.

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