Innovation in science and technology has helped India transform from a food-begging nation to a food-surplus nation. These innovations centred on the mechanisation of agriculture practices and large-scale usage of chemicals. Though the widely proclaimed Green Revolution has helped increase food production, it has taken away the quality of our produce. It has done tremendous damage to our environment and also to native biodiversity. Our farmers had been cultivating crops for sustenance using traditional practices even before the Green Revolution. Archaeological evidence shows that our ancient civilisations, like the Indus Valley Civilization (around 3300–1300 BCE), practised agriculture, as evidenced by findings of farming tools, irrigation systems, and crops like wheat, barley, and cotton. The use of canals, reservoirs, and well-planned drainage systems for irrigation and water management, have also been attested by archaeology.
Modern agriculture technologies are mainly the advancements taking place in mechanisation. This mechanisation greatly costs the environment, as fossil fuels are essential to operate these. However, in the current scenario where researchers across the globe are involved in efforts to reduce global temperature, dependence on fossil fuels for agriculture is not sustainable.
Indigenous technologies, also called Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK), practised by our farmers, always respected nature. These time-tested methods are sustainable, eco-friendly, and well-suited to local conditions. These traditional practices represent a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, emphasising sustainability, resilience, and community cooperation. The beauty of these indigenous technologies is that they are not dependent on fossil fuels and electricity, which are non-renewable and/or expensive. As we celebrate this year’s World Environment Day, the relevance of indigenous technologies has gained more prominence. Every year, on 5 June, the United Nations leads the celebration of World Environment Day with a specific theme. The theme of World Environment Day 2024 is ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience’.
In many indigenous agricultural practices followed by our farmers, the thrust was always to maintain a healthy environment. Unfortunately, modern science and technology have made our precious indigenous technologies extinct and placed them under the realms of books and museums. If we want to restore our land to the level our forefathers handed over to us, we need to revive at least a few of these agricultural practices. Let us explore some common traditional practices our farmers follow.
TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR WATER SECURITY
Water security is a critical issue globally, particularly in countries like India, where water resources are often scarce and subject to variability due to climatic factors. Traditional technologies for water security in India have evolved over centuries, harnessing indigenous knowledge and innovative practices to manage water resources sustainably. Many traditional water security practices in India are based on community participation and collective action. Some traditional methods employed by Indian communities for water security since ancient times are rainwater harvesting, check dams, and stepwells (Baoli or Bawdi). The Ahar-Pyne system is a traditional water management technique practised in eastern India, particularly in Bihar. Another example are bunds, which are earthen embankments constructed along the contours of agricultural fields to prevent soil erosion and conserve rainwater.
TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES
Traditional irrigation techniques such as furrow irrigation, basin irrigation, and flood irrigation have been practised for centuries in India. These methods rely on gravity flow to distribute water to fields and are well-suited to smallholder farming systems.
The Khadin system is a traditional rainwater harvesting and irrigation system practised in the desert regions of Rajasthan. It involves the construction of earthen dams along the contour of sloping terrain to capture rainwater and recharge groundwater. The stored water is then used to irrigate fields through gravity-fed channels, enabling farmers to grow crops even in arid conditions.
The use of wooden wheels for lifting water is a traditional irrigation method that has been practiced for centuries, particularly in areas where access to modern pumping technology may be limited. It typically involves using a simple yet effective wooden water wheel, powered by human or animal energy, to lift water from a water source such as a well, pond, or river, and distribute it to nearby fields for irrigation.
The farmers in the northeast have practised bamboo-based drip irrigation systems for more than two centuries.
CULTIVATION PRACTICES
Most of the traditional cultivation practices depend on harmony with nature. The farmers’ primary concern is to prevent any harm to the environment. This is evident in every stage of agriculture.
In rural India, bullock-drawn ploughs remain ubiquitous in agricultural landscapes, symbolising the enduring bond between humans and animals. Bullocks, revered as sacred animals in Indian culture, provide draft power for ploughing fields, tilling soil, and transporting agricultural produce. Bullock-drawn ploughs are relatively simple in design and construction, require minimal maintenance and are easy to repair. This traditional method of cultivation conserves fossil fuel resources and minimises soil compaction and erosion, preserving soil health for future generations. Moreover, bullock-drawn ploughs are well-suited to small-scale farming operations, where mechanised equipment may be inaccessible or uneconomical. Bullocks enable farmers to cultivate diverse crops on marginal lands, promoting food security and livelihood resilience in rural communities. The bullocks provide manure for cultivation, which is a valuable organic fertiliser. The manure is then collected and spread across the fields, enriching the soil and providing nutrients to crops. The bullock-drawn plough also helps maintain soil microflora.
The farmers often preferred diverse crop varieties rather than the monoculture propagated by our scientific community. In that way, they were able to conserve the local biodiversity. Even without sophisticated technologies, our farmers could conserve thousands of varieties of crop species using clay pots, jute bags, and underground storage pits. Traditional seed varieties adapted to local conditions can better withstand climate shocks, helping farmers cope with the impacts of climate change.
POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES
Our farmers boast a rich history of traditional post-harvest practices. These practices play a vital role in preserving and enhancing various food items’ nutritional value, flavour, and shelf life. These nature friendly techniques don’t require any sophisticated technologies and can be implemented in every part of the country. Following are some examples:
- Sun-Drying: Sun-drying is one of India’s oldest and most widely practised methods of preserving food. It is used for a variety of crops, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and spices. Items such as mangoes, chillies, and lentils are commonly sun-dried to reduce moisture content and prevent spoilage.
- Fermentation: Fermentation is another ancient technique used extensively in Indian cuisine. It involves the conversion of sugars and carbohydrates into acids, gases, or alcohol by microorganisms like bacteria and yeast. Fermentation not only preserves food but also enhances its flavour, texture, and nutritional value. Examples include idli and dosa batter, yoghurt, pickles, and various fermented beverages.
- Pickling: Pickling, or achaar making, is a traditional method of preserving fruits and vegetables in India. Ingredients such as mangoes, lemon, ginger, garlic, and green chillies are preserved in a mixture of salt, oil, and spices. The acidic environment created by fermentation inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, extending the shelf life of the pickles.
- Smoking: Smoking is a method used for preserving meat, fish, and certain vegetables in many parts of India. The process involves exposing food to smoke from burning wood or other organic materials, which imparts flavour and helps to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
- Traditional oil extraction: Traditional oil extraction using bullocks in southern and eastern parts of India is a fascinating example of indigenous technology that has been practised for centuries, particularly in rural areas where modern machinery may not be readily available or affordable. This traditional method, often referred to as ‘Ghani’ or ‘Ghani pressing’, involves the use of a wooden or stone oil press powered by bullocks to extract oil from oilseeds such as sesame (til), groundnut (peanut), coconut, and mustard.
- Stone grinders: Stone grinders were widely used in ancient India for processing food items such as grains, spices, and condiments. Grain grinding was an everyday household activity, and stone grinders were used to grind cereals like rice, wheat, and millets into flour for making bread, porridge, and other food items. Similarly, spices like turmeric, pepper, and cumin were ground using stone grinders to enhance flavour and aroma in cooking.
TRADITIONAL STORAGE TECHNIQUES
After harvesting, preserving surplus crops for future consumption is essential for food security and livelihood sustainability. Traditional storage techniques, such as mud silos, granaries, and jute bags, have been used for centuries to protect grains, pulses, and oilseeds from pests, moisture, and spoilage. Special storage containers made of clay, straw and cow dung, in the ratio 3:3:1 are widely used in parts of Tamil Nadu. Large wooden granaries known as ‘Pattayam’ were popular in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to store paddy. Farmers rely on indigenous knowledge passed down through generations to select appropriate storage containers, treat seeds with natural pesticides, and monitor storage conditions to prevent post-harvest losses.
Traditional methods of grinding grain (left) and storing grain in containers made of clay, straw and cow dung (right)
All Images Courtesy: Dr Biju Dharmapalan
Additionally, traditional storage structures serve as cultural symbols, reflecting local architectural styles, craftsmanship, and community traditions. Large granaries found in a few of our great ancient temples show the architectural and scientific strength of the people during that period.
By preserving traditional storage techniques, Indian farmers maintain control over their food supply, reduce dependence on external markets, and safeguard food sovereignty in an era of globalised food systems.
TRADITIONAL PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIES
Even before plastic packaging techniques existed, our farmers and local community used to pack food items in environmentally friendly packing materials like jute gunny bags, cotton bags, leaves of locally available plants, etc. Palm leaf and bamboo baskets are traditional packaging materials for carrying and storing fruits, vegetables, grains, and other perishable items. Palm leaves are widely used in Tamil Nadu to pack perishable items like jaggery. Similarly, in Lakshadweep, banana leaves are used as a commercial packaging material for specialised delicacies. These natural materials are lightweight, biodegradable, and readily available in many regions of India. They provide good ventilation, which helps maintain the contents’ freshness. These packing materials provide breathability and protect the contents from moisture while allowing air circulation.
Indigenous farming is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and local knowledge systems. The diversity of our nation provides a plethora of information that no research lab could produce in our lifetime. Preserving and promoting these practices benefits the environment and helps maintain cultural identity and community resilience, fostering a sense of belonging and stewardship of the land. Despite their strength, our scientific community has not given enough attention to popularising our indigenous technologies. The centuries-old large granaries and historical trade records followed by our ancestors show that even before the so-called Green Revolution, we had the capacity to produce enough food to feed our community and world using the available indigenous technologies. The mad rush for modernisation and westernisation made us look down on our strengths. But in this period of terrible environmental issues caused by modernisation, the age-old Indian philosophy of living harmoniously with the environment for sustenance can only restore our land and save our planet for future generations.
*The writer is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, and can be reached at bijudharmapalan@gmail.com.
