Farming Communities Research Articles

Cattle on the rocks: Understanding cattle mobility, diet, and seasonality in the Iberian Peninsula. The Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (Tavertet, Osona).

Reconstructing past herd mobility, reproduction, and diet is crucial for understanding animal management practices among the first sedentary farming communities. It can also shed light on how domestic animals were integrated into the existing exchange networks of goods, products, and raw materials, and how they contributed to broader economic and social changes during the Neolithic. Despite the longstanding importance of cattle (Bos taurus) to herders, the role of cattle in the daily, seasonal, and annual cycle of activities of early farming communities remains relatively poorly understood. This study focuses on the Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (3942-3632 cal. BCE) one of the few sites in the Iberian Peninsula from this period with a substantial collection of faunal remains. The site is particularly notable for its high proportion of cattle remains. Previous research on the cattle bone assemblage from Cova de les Pixarelles has included comprehensive archaeozoological, palaeopathological, and biomechanical analyses-an innovative, integrative approach in Mediterranean archaeology that offers an exceptional level of biographical detail. This study uses bulk bone collagen carbon (δ13Ccoll) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, and sequential analysis of enamel bioapatite oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13Ccarb) isotopes to further enhance our understanding of animal management practices during the Middle Neolithic, providing new insights on the diet, mobility and reproduction patterns of cattle. Results indicate that the Neolithic communities that used Cova de les Pixarelles managed these animals to obtain optimal pastures, moving them seasonally from lowland areas to higher mountain plateaus and carefully managing their reproduction cycles. We suggest a nuanced herding approach, combining open-range grazing with an ecological division of herds based on age, sex, and reproductive function, and seasonal vertical mobility, contributing to a complex but efficient herding system during the Middle Neolithic.

KVK Institute-Led Initiatives and their Effect on the Knowledge and Adoption of Improved JAKI-9218 Chickpea Cultivar

The research was conducted during 2020-21 to study potential and economics of improved Chickpea varieties to improve the productivity as well as income of the farmers in Dharwad district of Karnataka. The KVK - Dharwad has been promoting varietal interventions in chickpea under Cluster Frontline Demonstrations since 2018-19. These demonstrations and extension activities have created awareness among farming community on improved technologies with special focus on IPM practices. An attempt was made to study the level of knowledge and extent of adoption of improved practices of chickpea farmers in Dharwad district of Karnataka using ex-post facto research design. Sample size consists of 120 farmers selected randomly from the beneficiary list obtained from KVK- Dharwad. The analysis indicated that 40 per cent of farmers possessed medium level of knowledge whereas 49.17 per cent farmers had medium adoption rate with regard to improved technologies. The economic analysis of Chickpea variety (JAKI- 9218) showed higher net returns of Rs.51, 165/ ha over farmers practice Rs. 44, 325 / ha and B: C ratio of 2.11 under demonstrated practice while it was 1.78 under check practice, indicated the positive effect of improved chickpea cultivar JAKI-9218. Majority of respondents revealed high cost of inputs (Chemicals, fertilizers) and lack of knowledge about balanced use of chemical fertilizers and plant growth regulators was constraint to adopt IPM technologies.

Post Farmer-herder Conflict Management and Relief Strategies of Farmers in Nigeria

Purpose: This study shed light on the self-relief strategy employed by farmers after their experience in farmer-herder conflict.Research Method: The survey was carried out among 150 farm households headed in four farming communities. Frequency and logistic regression statistics were employed to analyze data.Findings: Findings showed that farmer-herder conflict resulted in the destruction of farm crops and insufficient food for household consumption among affected rural households. Affected rural households decided to adopt coping strategies that reduce their vulnerability by tightening farm security, preventing future huge farm loss by sowing less, and completely avoiding of risk of conflict effects with no intention to continue crop farming by borrowing money and shifting to off-farm jobs. Education/literacy of the people and causes of conflict were found to be the behavioral control factors of the farmers.Practical Implication: The study provided recommendations for rural development advisors and policymakers to inform post-conflict management and relief strategies for effective coping and adaptation responses to farmer-herders conflict victims in Africa and other developing countries experiencing similar nature of conflict.Originality/ Value: The study is novel for reporting, for the first time, the post-farmer-herder conflict behavior of farmers in Nigeria

The impact of past and current district-level climatic shifts on maize production and the implications for South African farmers

South Africa’s climate studies generally focus on coarser provincial levels, which aid policy recommendations, but have limited application at the farm level. District level climate studies are essential for farmer participation in climate change mitigation strategies and management. Our study aimed to investigate historical climate data for trends and their influence on maize yields at the magisterial level. Six sites were selected from three major maize-producing provinces in South Africa: Mpumalanga, Northwest, and Free State. Magisterial districts in each province were selected from different Köppen-Geiger climate zones. The climate variables assessed by the Mann–Kendall trend test included maximum or minimum temperature, rainfall, number of extreme high-temperature days, rainfall onset and cessation from 1986 to 2016. The average maximum temperatures were observed to have significant upward trends in most locations, except for Schweizer-Reneke and Bethlehem. The fastest rate of change was observed at Klerksdorp (0.1 °C per 30 years of study), while the Schweizer-Reneke district was the slowest (0.05 °C per 30 years of study). No significant changes were observed in rainfall onset, cessation, or total rainfall in Schweizer-Reneke, Standerton, and Bethlehem, which are scattered across the different provinces. The other districts in each province showed significant changes in these parameters. Rainfall accounted for the significant variation in maize yields over the study period, explaining between 18 and 40% of the variation in the North West, and between 1 and 17% in the Free State. These findings highlight the importance of understanding location-specific changes at a finer scale, which can help farming communities adjust agronomic practices and adapt to local climate shifts.

Factors influencing market value of agricultural land and fair compensation

The current research focuses on reviewing the relevant factors responsible for developing a farming community in India. A significant segment of the Indian population depends upon agriculture. For the development of the economy, there must be proper formulation and execution of relevant policies. A review of related studies was conducted to find the dominant variables responsible for developing farming communities and providing sustainable livelihood to farmers. The review brings out some significant variables, and the importance of those variables is justified by the network analysis of how the keywords are used in research. The collective approach of reviewing related studies and keyword analysis helped frame a framework for achieving sustainable livelihood amongst agriculturalists. The current study constructs valuable discernment associated with the facets that need to be concentrated on in ripening the farming sector of the Indian economy. Moreover, the current examination requires an empirical investigation of the variables accentuated in the present contemplation based on a review steered.

Sustainable Management by Forest Farmer Group in Serayu Watershed

The conservation and development management of watersheds require comprehensive studies, planning, and implementation from the upstream water sources to the downstream areas. The active involvement of stakeholders, including government entities responsible for policies, regulations, and budgets, as well as civil society groups such as forest farmer communities, fishermen, business groups, environmental activists, and empowerment advocates, is essential. This research focuses on watershed management among forest farmer groups in the Serayu River area, the longest river in Central Java, specifically in Cilacap and Banyumas Regencies of Indonesia A qualitative explanatory case study method was employed, utilizing direct observation, in-depth interviews, document analysis, and discussions. Data were analyzed through reduction, classification, clarification, and triangulation. The findings reveal that the management of the Serayu River watershed still requires socialization, coordination, and collaboration among stakeholders in planning, conservation, maintenance, development, monitoring, and evaluation. These stakeholders include local and village governments, socio-economic community groups, private entities, and academics. Relevant watershed management approaches include conceptual, deterministic, stochastic, parametric, and probabilistic methods.

Comparative Analysis of Yield and Fibre Traits in Newly Developed Bt and Non-Bt Cotton Hybrids

Aims: Cotton is a major fibre crop for textile industry and farmers in the world. Despite its tremendous importance, productivity constraints are still present. To eliminate productivity problem and increase the yield, the present investigation focused on developing new Bt cotton hybrids with better yield and fibre characteristics through estimation of heterosis in different combination of Bt and Non Bt parents. Study Design: Randomized block design with three replication was used to conduct the experiment. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, during Kharif 2019 & 2020. Methodology: The five diverse parents were crossed with one another as making four crosses of Bt x Bt parents and four crosses of Non-Bt x Bt parents. Eight F1 hybrids then were evaluated for heterosis performance for different morphological, yield, yield contributing traits and fibre traits with standard checks i.e. PDKV JKAL 116 and Ajeet 155 in Kharif 2020. Results: Results showed that for seed cotton yield (kg/ha), the cross AKH 09-5 × ICAR-CICR Rajat Bt recorded highest 12.30% standard heterosis over the check PDKV JKAL 116. Significant standard heterosis of 35.83% and 34.36% was observed for no. of bolls per plant over both the checks. While the cross ICAR-CICR 081 Bt × ICAR-CICR Rajat Bt was found to be most heterotic for fibre parameters. Conclusion: It was found that the Non-Bt × Bt crosses performed better for yield and its contributing trait than Bt × Bt crosses, while Bt × Bt crosses did gave good results for fibre quality parameters. Understanding the genetics behind, can be beneficial for the farming community.

Empowering Community Entrepreneurship Through Salt-Based Mouthwash Production

In this PKM program, our partner is residents in Sedayulawas, Lamongan, East Java, Province. This community has generated the production mouthwash derived from salt. Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). Diversification of salt products with various derivative products is very possible for salt farmers to do as an effort to empower the economy of the Lamongan community as well as increase food security through the provision of quality salt and downstream technology to produce salt derivatives that have more value for example mouthwash. Mouthwash containing saltwater rinses work by increasing the pH- balance inside the mouth, creating a much more alkaline oral environment in which the bacteria are no longer able to thrive. Based on interviews and observations in the field, there are 3 main focuses of the problems currently faced by partners, namely: 1) lack of knowledge about downstreaming of salt products and their derivatives and 2) the packaging of product. Efforts to increase salt production and salt purification technology as well as alternative diversification of salt derivative products can be a model that can drive the economic sector of the community of salt farmers and women who boil salt so as to initiate the opening of new job opportunities and create superior salt products and derivative products, namely mouthwash in Lamongan Regency. This activity was realized with an approach in the form of making a sustainable cooperation program until the end of PKM, creating a family atmosphere between the two and understanding that the problems experienced were a shared problem so that they could be solved together according to the level of responsibility to achieve the expected benefits, namely increased yields, production and productivity and competitiveness, independence and welfare of the community.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and anemia in Hirakud Command Area, Odisha, India: unveiling the role of environmental toxicants.

The present community-basedstudy assessed the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD)/chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) as well as anemia in some intense agricultural zones under Hirakud Command Area and evaluated their association with pesticides and heavy metal exposure. Random cluster sampling method was used to assess the prevalence of CKD and anemia. Hematological analysis was carried out using autoanalyzer. Pesticide residues in soil, water, rice grains, blood and urine samples were analyzed using LCMSMS and GCMS, while heavy metal levelswere assessed using ICP-MS. Risks associated with exposure to pesticides and to heavy metals through dietary and non-dietary sources were assessed using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method. CKDu was predominant among the farming community in "blocks" i.e.administrative unitsin rural governance, functioning as subdivisions of districts in India with intense agricultural activities. Blocks reporting higher prevalence of CKDu showed greater concentrations of nephrotoxic pesticide residues in the soil, water and rice grain. Heavy metals in water, such as cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic, were found to be above permissible limits in all the hotspot blocks. Dietary exposure to pesticide residues was presumed tocontribute significantly to non-carcinogenic risk among the exposed population. Analysis of blood and urine samples collected from patients withCKD/CKDu indicated the presence of nephrotoxic pesticide residues and heavy metals among the directly exposed group. Anemia was found to be prevalent among CKDu patients. The present study indicated a strong association between environmental toxicants, like pesticides and heavy metals, and the onset and progression of CKD, as well as anemia in a high intensity agricultural zone. Dietary exposure to pesticides and heavy metals maypose high risks for kidney diseases.

Improving Evaluation Systems for Public Institution Performance: A Case Study of Regional Cooperation at the Korea National Arboretum

This study addresses the deficiency in performance indicators of public institution arboretums and highlights the increasing need for collaborative cooperation for mutual growth. We aim to develop both quantitative and qualitative performance indicators to improve the evaluation systems and optimize operational efficiency. Initial indicators were formulated based on a review of 31 literature sources, followed by focus group interviews and a Delphi analysis involving 21 experts. A total of 23 core indicators were identified and categorized into three domains: public interest, economics, and functional aspects. Public interest indicators included seven items focusing on co-growth indicators (four) and contributions to the arboretum and garden culture development (three). Economic indicators featured ten items, including those related to regional exhibitions (four) and regional economic activation (six). The functional aspects indicators comprised six items: outsourced cultivation (three) and plant management (three). The highest-priority indicator was related to regional economic activity (income generation for local small business owners). Recommendations should be tailored to each department to bolster organizational performance, strengths, and capabilities. We anticipate that these indicators will support the mutual growth of national arboretums and local farming communities in Korea.

Goat agribusiness extension in Komala Village, South Wangi-Wangi District

The Komala Village community has many goats but there are many problems faced by the community such as dead fetuses, malnutrition, limited health care, environmental conditions, lack of knowledge and training and limited infrastructure. Therefore, the aim of this extension activity is to provide education to the farming community about the correct way to raise goats. This activity was carried out on Friday, March 26, 2023 at 16.00 WITA - Finish, located at the Gazebo of the Komala Village Head's House, South Wangi-Wangi District, Wakatobi. Counseling materials presented to the community: (1) Types of appropriate and balanced feed for goats, (2) Natural feed, supplementary feed, and fermented feed, (3) How to organize feeding according to age, weight, and maintenance objectives, (4) Efficient feeding methods, and (5) Mixing and serving feed techniques. After following the goat farming extension, the community response was as follows: (1) enthusiasm and participation, (2) increased understanding, (3) interest in new practices, (4) awareness of the importance of improving goat rearing practices (5) satisfaction with information, (6) positive perception of benefits, (7) desire for further training, and (8) better collaboration. The conclusion from this community service activity is that the community in Komala Village still has low knowledge regarding how to raise goats. Although they have experience in raising goats, many things can still be improved in farming practices to achieve better results. As for what needs to be improved in community knowledge, such as feed management, care, production management, use of technology, and business management skills.

Health and Safety Training for Immigrant Dairy Workers in the Upper Midwest.

This project implemented Seguridad en las Lecherías, an award-winning, bilingual (Spanish and English), 5-module curriculum approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The intervention aimed to increase safety knowledge among immigrant dairy workers, encourage a safety culture, and identify challenges faced by the dairy farming community in Minnesota and South Dakota. A total of 360 Hispanic immigrant workers from 19 participating dairies were trained. Pre- and post-assessments revealed a statistically significant increase in knowledge after each training. Producers and managers provided positive feedback noting improved awareness of safety and positive behavior changes to reduce farm incidents. A flexible approach to implementation was essential to the intervention's success, including synchronizing training with workers' shifts. Overall, this application of the Seguridad en las Lecherías curriculum suggests that comprehensive, culturally responsive safety training delivered in the language spoken by workers can have a positive impact on workers' safety knowledge, practices, and behavior on dairy farms. Continued efforts to prioritize and reinforce worker safety are vital to the sustainability and well-being of the dairy farming community in the region and beyond.

Community-based Environmental Communication for Disaster Mitigation on Peatlands in Bengkalis Regency, Indonesia

Bengkalis Island and Bengkalis Regency generally have peatlands that are mostly abandoned, prone to fires and prone to landslides due to abrasion. The Environmentally Concerned Malay Youth Association (IPMPL) created a movement to cultivate Cratoxylum Arborescens (gerunggang) as a native plant to prevent fires. This research aims to explore community-based environmental communication for disaster mitigation in peatlands. The method applied in this research is a case study. The research results show that the environmental campaign is based on the problem of peatlands which are vulnerable to fires and landslides due to abrasion. IPMPL plays a role in campaigning for peatland conservation through gerunggang cultivation. This movement contributes to mitigating fire disasters in peatlands and abrasion landslides. Environmental communication based on Forest Farmer Groups (KTH) contributes to reducing the risk of land fires and can improve the community’s economy. This community collaborates with several parties such as: the Ministry of the Environment, Forest Management Units (KPH), district and provincial governments, as well as farming community groups in campaigning for environmental messages. This collaboration contributes to reducing the problem of environmental damage on peatlands. However, IPMPL has not maximized the use of social media to publish all its activities.

Prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle of District Buner, Pakistan

Background: Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) is infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Picornaviridae, also known as Rhino virus. The disease is characterized by large fever, appears lesions in the buccal cavity due to lesions in buccal mucosa the cattle face the difficulties in feeding. Affected animals have a high temperature, which is followed by the development of blisters chiefly in the mouth and on the feet. This disease cause loss of appetite, loss of weight, reduce milk production, miscarriage also occurs in this disease and sometime it may lead to death mostly in young ones. Objective: This study aimed to assess the Prevalence of Foot and mouth disease in district Buner. Methods: The present study was conducted on the Prevalence of Foot and Mouth disease in district Buner, Pakistan during August 2023 to August 2024. During the outbreak we were visited to the local community, DVM doctors. Livestock office of district Buner, veterinary assistance, Doctors etc. In this outbreak large number of economic loses were reported of FMD among the farmers community. Results: During the study a total of (n=3565) cases of animals (cattle) of Foot and mouth disease were reported, in which (n=439) (12.3%) death cases were reported. The total recovered cases of Foot and Mouth disease were (n=2817). During the outbreak there are around (36612) cattle were vaccinated in district Buner. The study area was divided into six different tehsils. Conclusion: The most affected tehsil during the outbreak was Mandanr. Tehsil Gadezi are highly effected in which (n=1105) cases were reported with mortality rate of (n=9.5%). The most rear effected tehsil was Gagra in which only (n=286) cases of FMD were reported with mortality rate (n=17.4%).

Assessing the Risk of Exposure to Vectors of Malaria using Entomological Inoculation Rate among Houses at Auyo Irrigation Rice Farming Community in Jigawa State

A longitudinal entomological survey of malaria vectors was carried out aiming to assess the transmission risk factors with regard to housing types at the rice irrigation community of Auyo LGA. The study was carried out in 32 households from March 2017 to February 2018. Adult mosquitoes were collected from the selected residential houses using the Pyrethrum spray collection method. The Human biting rate, sporozoite and entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were calculated based on common housing type and three seasons of the collection period. A total of 3,998 female Anopheline mosquitoes were collected. The most abundant species was Anopheles gambiae sl, (94.5%) followed by An. Funestus (4.5%) and other minor spp (1%) including An. pharoensis and An. coustani. Members of An. gambaie complex was analysed by PCR and An. coluzzi accounts for about 92.3%, An. gambiae ss 3.9% and An. arabiensis 3.7%. The human biting rate was highest in the thatch houses (22.64), compared to Mud and concrete houses with 10.6 and 2.4 respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) yielded 64 positive results which account for a sporozoite rate of 0.11(11%). The rates of infection by Plasmodium species in mosquitoes and Entomological Inoculation Rate (EIR) were higher in thatch and mud houses compared to concrete houses. The estimated cumulative infective bites per person per year was (138) in thatch, (74) in mud and (0) in concrete house (p- 0.001). Based on these findings, it is recommended that malaria control may be achieved by introducing mosquito-proofed housing and good environmental management.

Learning Innovation Together with Community: Inventing and Commercializing Slow-Release Organic Nano Fertilizer Pellets for Healthy and Sustainable Rice Agriculture

The village of Jagaraga, located in the Sawan district of Buleleng Regency, Bali Province, had significant potential in both culture and agriculture, particularly in rice farming. More than half of the village’s land area was rice fields, and over two-thirds of the villagers were rice farmers. However, ensuring healthy soils and crops through effective fertilizer solutions remained a major challenge. The aim of the community development initiative was to empower the village farmers to become innovative through collaborative learning and by inventing and commercializing a slow-release nano fertilizer. A participatory action and learning approach was used to engage the rice farming community. The Subak Babakan farmer organization and the local rice milling enterprise, PB Suwela Amertha, were involved in the empowerment activities, which included information sessions, training, technology application, guidance, evaluation, and sustainability planning. As a result, four formulas of slow-release organic nano fertilizers in pellet form were successfully developed. Additionally, a four-helix partnership involving academicians, the farmer community, enterprises, and the government was established to build a business platform for commercializing the innovation. Through this collaboration, academicians and community farmers successfully learned to address the primary challenges in rice agriculture innovatively while promoting sustainable practices to maintain the health of the land and the well-being of the villagers.

The Agri-credit accessibility and the utilization of Agri-loan proceeds of rice farmers

Rice farmers struggle to obtain and effectively utilize credit, which limits their agricultural productivity and livelihood. This study examined the relationship between agri-credit accessibility and utilization of agri-loan proceeds among the 59 registered rice farmers in Villa Cerveza, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro. It aimed to assess the extent of accessibility of agri-credit from microfinance institutions, banking institutions, and informal lenders and to examine the utilization practices for farm and non-farm needs. Using a quantitative correlational research design, the data were gathered through structured questionnaires. These were being analyzed using weighted mean, Pearson's correlation, and Jamovi software. The results revealed the different perceptions of accessibility. Informal lenders were rated most accessible, while microfinance institutions and banking institutions were rated as moderate and limited, respectively. Farmers utilized credit mostly for farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, with some of these going toward household necessities. However, the investments in modern methods of farming were limited. There was a significant positive correlation between agri-credit accessibility and utilization. This indicates that increased access leads to more effective loan usage, higher farm productivity, and more financial stability. To address these, it is recommended that farmers acquire clear and concise information about different loan products, eligibility requirements, and repayment schedules through seminars, workshops, and financial literacy training. These initiatives should educate farmers on how to properly manage their debts, classify spending, and seek additional income sources. This study offers significant insights helping policymakers, financial institutions, and farming communities to establish comprehensive and supportive agricultural financing systems.

Acquisition of Goat and Sheep Farming Knowledge and Artificial Insemination Technology of Nanomaterial-Assisted Semen Sexing for Farmers in Wagir District, Malang Regency

In accordance with the Malang Regency Regional Development Plan, Wagir District is one of the Livestock Centre’s in Malang Regency because of its higher population of goats and sheep. However, the lack of goat and sheep farming knowledge as well as lack numbers of superior quality and quantity of lambs become main problems for realizing that plan. Therefore, a four-helix joint program was conducted through the collaboration of farmer communities, universities, industries, and local government to solve those problems. The community empowerment was aimed to improve the goat and sheep husbandry knowledges and farming skills as well as to train farmers in applying the artificial insemination technology with nanomaterial-assisted semen sexing to improve the availability of superior lambs of goats and sheep and sustaining the quantity and quality of goats and sheep in Wagir District of Malang Regency. The approach of participatory action and learning system was conducted through the community empowerment program, including valuable activities, namely focus group discussion, training, and direct practice, mentoring and field monitoring in 12 villages. The results of this program showed that the farmer awareness, knowledge, and skills on practicing good farming of goat and sheep as well as the application of the artificial insemination technology with nanomaterial-assisted semen sexing increased significantly from 20% to 90%. The social and economic impacts of the application of artificial insemination technology of nanomaterial-assisted sexing semen are the significant increase of goats and sheep farming productivity and the strengthening of livestock business management.

Unlocking the Dynamics of Keujreun Blang Customary Institution in Aceh Province, Indonesia

The Keujreun Blang customary institution aims to oversee rice field management following local wisdom, considering Aceh's farming communities' social and cultural values. Given its importance, it is crucial to recognize and understand the institution's position and role within the broader societal context. This study employs an ethnographic descriptive approach, drawing upon previous research, to comprehensively analyze the subject matter. The findings revealed that the Blang customary institution serves as a traditional entity responsible for managing rice cultivation practices. It is led by prominent figures well-versed in agricultural philosophy and deeply rooted in Aceh's local wisdom, values, and cultural heritage. The institution's responsibilities encompass the entire agricultural cycle, from planting to harvesting. Despite the institution's formal establishment, Acehnese farmers remain strongly influenced by the customary and cultural values associated with rice cultivation, which are considered integral to their heritage and must be preserved. Given the significance of these traditional institutions in maintaining cultural continuity and agricultural practices, it is imperative to integrate them into public policy frameworks systematically. This integration should be implemented consistently to preserve local wisdom and effective rice cultivation management in Aceh. By doing so, policymakers can balance modern agricultural practices, and the rich cultural heritage embodied in the Keujreun Blang customary institution.

Reducing the incidence of Fall Army Worm (FAW) in irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) through intercropping systems

Pest management strategies involving intercropping systems are being developed in different research stations. However, findings on location specific management are very limited. In order to address these problems and enhance maize productivity by identifying location specific strategies, field experiments were conducted at the Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif, 2020 and rabi, 2020-21 to reduce the incidence of FAW in irrigated maize through different intercropping systems in sandy clay loam soil. The experiments consisted of 5 treatments viz., T1- Maize + Tephrosia, T2- Maize + Fenugreek, T3- Maize + Coriander, T4- Maize + Marigold and T5- Maize alone and these were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications. On the border of experimental field, a row of Bajra Napier Hybrid grass was planted to study the influence on FAW. The results of experiments revealed that the T4- Maize + Marigold treatment was superior in reducing the incidence of FAW in irrigated maize among the different intercropping systems owing to the occurrence of natural enemies and repelling nature of marigold which recorded higher maize equivalent yield of 6089 kg ha-1 with a B:C ratio of 1.84. This system of intercropping should be adopted by the farming community to reduce the incidence of FAW in maize as it is an eco friendly approach, which sustains the productivity of maize.