Tribal Farmers Research Articles

Sustainable Livelihood for Tribal Farmers via Integrated Farming System Components

Sustainable Livelihood for Tribal Farmers via Integrated Farming System Components

Constraints Faced by the Tribal Farmers in the Adoption of Ethno-medical Practices in Idukki District of Kerala

The study was conducted with the aim of identifying constrains faced by the tribal farmers in the adoption of ethno-medical practices. The study was carried out in the Idukki district of Kerala among the nine major tribal groups in all the eight blocks in the district, who were primary engaged in agriculture and allied occupations. The most essential constraints faced by the tribal farmers in adopting EMPs in the decreasing order of importance are it is time-consuming, challenging, and often dangerous to search for herbs in the forest and bushes, depletion of much of the trees and herbs from local medicine sources, the lack of standardization of EMPs and documentation, individualism prevents people from transmitting information to others, prescription variations such as the quantity and periodicity, inadequate recognition of the importance of EMPs on the broader (nonindigenous) community, no external funding to exercise these skills in new and demanding contexts generating public benefit, regressive government regulations, banning such practices as cannabis cultivation, illegal tree cutting, etc., less effective in large scale production, the younger generation has a distorted attitude towards using EMPs due to their education and exposure to modern training, too much or less rainfall and often drought, erratic or unreliable weather conditions, lack of chances of exposure to EMPs, it requires more time to deliver the desired results and the destruction of nutrient-rich staple food from mainstream community food.

The Futuristic Entrepreneurial Actions for Tribal Farmers of North-east India

The North-East region of India, with its rich cultural diversity and biodiversity, is especially well-suited for agricultural growth. Given its potential, one would expect this region to be at the forefront of agri-entrepreneurial activities. Additionally, with the last few years, agriculture and its supplementary sectors became crucial components of entrepreneurial projects buoyed up by the existing need for sustainable food production, appropriate management of resources, and improving the living standards in rural areas. However, this expectation contrasts with findings from Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) studies for North-East region of India. Therefore, the study aimed to identify future entrepreneurial actions in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh. Using an open-ended questionnaire, the researchers employed a triangulation approach to analyse potential ventures in the region. The study identified ten key entrepreneurial actions. Agro-tourism emerged as the top choice among local tribal farmers, while the commercialization of Mishmi teeta (a traditional medicinal plant) was ranked highest by experts in the region. These findings offer valuable insights for stakeholders in the region. The study highlights the entrepreneurial interests of tribal farmers and suggest areas for entrepreneurial policy development in the region. Additionally, the findings also offer actionable insights for designing training programs or policy initiatives aiming to empower tribal farmers through entrepreneurship in agricultural and allied sector.

Ethno Veterinary Practices Followed by Attappadi Tribal Farmers of Kerala

Ethno Veterinary Practices Followed by Attappadi Tribal Farmers of Kerala

Motivational factors and constraints faced by beneficiary tribal farmers in obtaining benefits of agricultural technology management agency

Motivational factors and constraints faced by beneficiary tribal farmers in obtaining benefits of agricultural technology management agency

Relationship between psychological characteristics of beneficiary tribal farmers and their socio-techno-economic change

Relationship between psychological characteristics of beneficiary tribal farmers and their socio-techno-economic change

Perceived training needs assessment of tribal farm women engaged in livestock sector of Assam

Perceived training needs assessment of tribal farm women engaged in livestock sector of Assam

The detrimental effect of socio-economic factors on cotton productivity in the tribal region of Odisha

Cotton is a crucial cash crop in the tribal belt of Odisha. It has a significant effect on the livelihood of the tribal people. The volatile socio-economic background of the tribal farmers is a major hindrance to the proper development of the agriculture sector. In this regard, it is important to study the possible factors affecting cotton productivity in the tribal region to boost the policy effectiveness for the development of this cash crop in the area. More precisely, how is their socio-economic condition reflected in their crop productivity? So, the development of the tribal farmers can develop this crop in the region. This study analyses the detrimental effect of socio-economic factors on cotton productivity in the tribal area of Odisha. The data are collected using a structured questionnaire and a multiple-sampling technique. To understand the effect of socioeconomic factors on productivity, the ordinary least square (OLS) method has been employed in this paper. The result shows that most of the farmers are illiterate for which productivity is degrading. The age and gender of the head of the household are significant contributors to the cotton productivity of the study area. Male-headed households are more productive than female-headed households. Per capita monthly income and proportion of irrigated land are also important factors to affect cotton productivity positively. However, the social group of the family has no significant effect on the cotton productivity in the study area. Policymakers and agriculturists should emphasize farmer literacy, farmer income and land irrigation facilities to boost the productivity of this crop in the studied region.

Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus): A Traditional Rain Forecaster for Tribal Farmers of Southwestern Rajasthan

Abstract An intensive survey was carried out over the past 8 years in tribal-dominated areas of southwestern Rajasthan to document red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) behavior as a rain forecaster, relevant to farm planning and better crop production. The present study included tribal farmers, agriculture scientists, extension workers, ornithologists, and farm workers. The precision of their observations was compared with a contemporaneous study of 10–15 red-wattled lapwing nests across the 46-ha operational area of the Agricultural Research Sub-Station (ARSS) and Adaptive Trial Center (ATC), Sumerpur, Pali, Rajasthan (25.1526°N latitude, 73.0823°E longitude). Local knowledge was gathered through surveys and focus group discussions with the respondents to discuss lapwing behavior as a rain prediction indicator. Meteorological data were gathered from the ATC farm observatory. The findings revealed that the older tribal farmers have an assortment of knowledge about the behavior of red-wattled lapwing as rain prediction indicators such as nesting sites, egg position, egg arrangement, nesting material, numbers of eggs, and egg-laying patterns. These predictions have a direct correlation with modern meteorological observations. It was also noted that the elder tribal farmers planned their farms using lapwing indicators in order to increase crop production, whereas younger generations overlook the traditional rain prediction indicators and have significant knowledge about meteorological data-based weather forecasting. Both the elder and younger tribal farmers were equally interested in meteorological weather forecast announcements, but due to network connectivity challenges, residents in some remote places were unable to access modern meteorological information. Long-term accurate rain forecasting is needed for better agricultural planning and to secure crop production. Rain forecasting can be improved by blending modern meteorological information with traditional proven indications. Farmers who have considerable traditional knowledge along with modern technological updates are capable of using both sources of information in suitable and successful farm planning for better crop production. Significance Statement The purpose of this study is to examine red-wattled lapwing behavior as rain measurements and compare its reliability with modern rain forecasting methods. We also develop a theoretical framework for understanding traditional and modern rain forecasting methods for disaster management in remote and accessible areas, to assist resource management and to minimize costs of cultivation. Our results provide a guideline for blending both types of knowledge and for providing relevant information to remote tribal areas at appropriate times for better farm planning and crop production.

Overcoming constraints for enhanced livelihood security among tribal farmers in South Odisha

Overcoming constraints for enhanced livelihood security among tribal farmers in South Odisha

Income generated through minor forest products of tribal farmers in Gadchiroli district

Income generated through minor forest products of tribal farmers in Gadchiroli district

IMPACT OF CLIMATE RESILIENT TECHNOLOGIES ON SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL FARMERS

The National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project was launched by ICAR in 2011. The Technology Demonstration Component of the project which is aimed at enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of the farmers to cope with the increasing climatic variability in different agro- ecosystems is implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendra's spread across the country. Since the project has completed ten years, the investigation was undertaken with the objective to analyze the impact of climate resilient technologies on socio economic development of the tribal farmers. Khuntli and Amdha villages of Kaparada block of Gujarat state was selected purposively. From the list of the beneficiaries of both villages, forty farmers from each village were selected by simple random sampling technique. Thus, the sample comprised of 80 beneficiary farmers. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study. Statistical tools viz. mean, SD, and Z test were used to analyze the data. The data related to changes occurred after implementation of NICRA project revealed that as a result of adoption of climate smart technologies, significant improvements in the livelihood of the beneficiary farmers were observed due to increase in the overall income of the farmers per annum.

Perception of tribal farmers towards KVK scientists

The present investigation was conducted in Chikhaldara and Dharni taluka of Amravati district (Vidarbha region) of Maharashtra state. The main objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the profile of the tribal farmers with their perception towards KVK scientists.Apre-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 120 tribal farmers from 10 villages which were selected by usingex-post facto design of the social research during 2022-2023. The statistical methods such as frequencies, percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation were used. The data of research study show that variables namely age, farming experience, size of land holding and annual income were negatively non-significant with perception of tribal farmers. The variables education and training received were found positive and significant level of probability of 0.01 with perception of tribal farmers toward KVK scientists.While variable namely extension participation, mass media exposure and innovativeness were positively significant with perception of tribal farmers at 0.05 level of probability.

Impact of vocational training courses on tribal farm women of Dediapada

Impact of vocational training courses on tribal farm women of Dediapada

Constraints Faced by the Tribal Goat Farmers of Kandhamal District in Odisha, India

Constraints Faced by the Tribal Goat Farmers of Kandhamal District in Odisha, India

Tessu gulal: A livelihood option for tribal farm women of Shahdol district

Tessu gulal: A livelihood option for tribal farm women of Shahdol district

Morbidity pattern among tribal farmers in a selected district of Tripura, India

Morbidity pattern among tribal farmers in a selected district of Tripura, India

Gender Perspectives in Agriculture and Livestock Production: Insights from Garo Tribal Farm Households in West Garo Hills: Meghalaya

This study was conducted in two villages situated in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in 2023, focusing on a sample of 60 tribal farm families. Respondents were randomly selected from the selected villages. Statistical analyses were performed using frequencies and percentage. The findings revealed that 80.0% of households had a nuclear family structure, with 61.67% being led by males. Agriculture was the primary occupation of 51.67% of households, and 33.33% reported an annual household income ranging from Rs. 85,001 to Rs. 150,000. Additionally, 78.33% of households possessed areca nut orchards and 60.0% utilized mobile phones for communication. Credit facilities were available to 31.67% of respondents. Regarding information sources, 98.33% of males and 96.67% of females relied on friends and neighbours for agricultural information. Decision-making was reported to be joint in 65.0% of households. Crop harvesting, which was primarily performed by females (55.0%), and the selling of harvests during financial needs, which were handled by males (35.0%) and females (38.33%), were identified as patterns. Revenue management from sales was undertaken by males (36.67%) and jointly (33.33%). In livestock-related decisions, 63.0% reported joint decision-making, and the grazing of animals was managed by children within households (68.33%). For healthcare, 63.33% of independent males consulted the veterinary department during instances of animal disease. Joint decisions were made for the purchase and sale of animals (81.76%). The present findings contribute valuable insights into gender in agricultural discourse, guiding informed and inclusive development in the North East Region. Practitioner Summary: The study was on 60 small Garo tribal farm families actively engaged in both agricultural and livestock activities. Study revealed that women has integral role in agriculture and livestocks then men. Joint decision making in agriculture collaborative farm management, males often takes lead in financial management and certain post-harvest processes.

Socio-economic status of tribal farmers of Melghat region in Maharashtra

Socio-economic status of tribal farmers of Melghat region in Maharashtra

Impact Assessment and Upliftment of Poor and Marginal Tribal Farmers of Chhattisgarh State through Quality Seed Production in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The study was carried out in districts of Chhattisgarh plains and plateau by conducting front line demonstrations (FLD’s) and tribal Sub Plan (TSP) of chickpea at different locations of farmer’s field to promote the cultivation and adoption of improved package of practice from 2018-19 to 2022-23. The seeds of improved varieties and balanced fertilizers were the part of technological package supplied to the demonstration plot as against control. All the demonstrations were conducted by following participatory approach. Results revealed that improved varieties and balanced fertilization increased yield as compared to the farmer’s practice. In demonstration plots C: B ratio was also higher as compared to control ones. It can be concluded from the findings that use of improved technologies can reduce the technology gap to a considerable extent resulting in increased productivity of rapeseed in the district. It needs the efforts of both extension and farmers to enhance adoption level of location and crop specific technologies among farmers for bridging these gaps. Therefore, the farmers’ need to provide proper technical support and guidance through various improved agronomic practices for better production and productivity in the district.