Indian Knowledge Systems New

Indian Knowledge Systems
Focus Areas:
Organic Agriculture
CIKS is engaged in developing feasible and user-friendly programmes, drawn from
indigenous agricultural practices and knowledge, to help farmers go organic.
Revitalizing and strengthening the farmer’s faith in traditional eco-friendly
technologies is the only way to ensure that the agricultural community turns to
organic farming as a sustainable, long term solution. It is important to clearly
understand what technologies can be used, if and how they need to be modified, and
what needs to be discarded as unsuitable for our situation.
The following are the areas of work relating to organic farming CIKS is involved in
 Testing plant and animal products which are indicated to have plant protection
properties to validate the technology and come up with a suitable package of
practice for use against specific pests or for particular crops.
 Developing a variety of technologies and materials to retain and enhance soil
fertility including – animal products (Panchagavyam, modified Panchagavyam),
compost, vermicompost, neem seed cake and other oilseed cakes, seeds of
green manure etc.
 Developing packages for the organic cultivation of various crops building upon
the traditional knowledge and wisdom of the farming community.
 Developing technologies based on Vrkshayurveda (Traditional Indian Plant
Science) to come up with storage forms of biopesticides.
 Setting up a large number of decentralised small-scale units for the production of
biopesticides, biofertilizers, oil seed powder etc.
 Producing manuals and audio-visuals relating to processes for organic
certification of various crops and providing training to farmers and farmer’s
groups on certification-related procedures.
 Training and handholding for farmers groups for the production of certified seeds
which are also organically produced, that are important for organic cultivation of
crops as well as enhancement of yield.
 Training, documentation and publications on the use of Systematic Rice
Intensification techniques for the multiplication of indigenous seed varieties of
paddy as well as the cultivation of paddy crop.
Through our initiatives, we have successfully turned a significant number of farmers

in the region to organic farming methods. By providing solutions that work, we
demonstrate to the farming community that organic methods are the only way
forward.
Biodiversity Conservation
India is home to an incredible diversity of both wild and cultivated crops. Diversity is
one of the main characteristics of nature and also the very basis of ecological
stability. Diverse ecosystems give rise to diverse life forms and diverse cultures and
that forms the basis of sustainability. CIKS has focused at identifying important
traditional seed varieties and orienting the agricultural community towards
conserving and cultivating them.
When CIKS began the seed conservation initiative, we found not more than a
handful of indigenous varieties. Today, many paddy and vegetable varieties are
being conserved in farmers’ fields and experimental farms. We have documented in
detail the agronomic properties of the conserved paddy varieties. We have also
carried out preliminary studies on the nutritional properties of selected few varieties.
Traditionally a stupendous variety of paddy has been conserved and nurtured in
various parts of the country which are suited to a variety of regions due to properties
such as the following:
Varieties that are suited to different soil types – clayey, sandy soils etc.
 Varieties with different durations ranging from short duration crops of 90 days to
many others that may mature between 180 to 360 days.
 Varieties having resistance to specific pests or a range of pests.
 Varieties having resistance to particular diseases.
 Varieties that may be requiring very small amounts of water for cultivation
(drought resistant varieties) to those that may even be flood resistant.
 Varieties that are valuable because of the quality and quantity of straw which is of
importance for the making of thatches, fodder for cattle etc.
 Varieties that may be cultivated in saline or alkaline soils.
 There are also varieties that have range of distinct nutritional and therapeutic
properties such as – Those that are suited for specific products such as puffed
rice or pounded rice.
 Varieties suited for specific preparations such as biriyani, puttu, murukku etc.
Aromatic rice varieties.
 Varieties that have a high content of nutrients such as calcium (suited for
pregnant and lactating mothers), iron, phosphorous or energy.
 Varieties that have a low Glycaemic Index (GI).
 Varieties that are indicated in the treatment of specific conditions such as
filariasis.
The work of CIKS in conservation of indigenous rice varieties was consolidated
under a new initiative called “Namma Nellu” (literally meaning “Our rice” in Tamil) in
October 2016. It was envisioned as a “Crowd Funding” effort through which CIKS
invited individuals and organisations to contribute to the conservation of various
indigenous rice varieties in public interest. Indigenous varieties cannot be accessed
from the cold storage seed banks maintained by research institutes and agricultural
universities. These are only available in limited quantity and not accessible by
farmers. It is only meant for researchers and scientists. Rare indigenous varieties
should be multiplied and made available to the needy farmers and in turn to the
needy public.
Vrkshayurveda:
Vrkshayurveda is the ancient Indian plant science, which contains remarkably
relevant solutions to modern-day agricultural problems. Based on the currently
available information, it is clear that Vrkshayurveda is of great relevance in
Ayurveda, agriculture, horticulture and life sciences. It provides a wealth of
knowledge on a variety of areas such as seed treatment, soil testing and
preparations, methods for yield increase, land classification, details of cultivation of
plants etc.
Various other topics like the causes of diseases, their identification and treatment,
exploration of water and minerals with the help of plants are also discussed. Our
understanding of the earlier processes, which enabled ancient Indians to gain
knowledge of plants and plant life and the art of application of this knowledge for the
improvement of the general conditions of life, can provide insights for solutions to
several current-day problems. CIKS attempts to integrate tenets of Vrkshayurveda in
various facets of work.
Promoting Famers’ Collectives

e work primarily with the farming community. We have worked with over 110,000
farming families in Tamil Nadu in nine districts. We have supported the setting up of
over 650 farmers’ institutions involved in sustainable agriculture including – SHGs,
JLGs, farmers clubs and common livelihood groups. Small and medium enterprises
have been set up carrying out a variety of activities relating to sustainable
agriculture. Starting from the year 2013 we have initiated and supported 23 Farmer
Producer Companies (FPCs) in various parts of Tamil Nadu spread over nine
districts.
FARMER PRODUCER COMPANIES PROMOTED BY CIKS

 The first two Producer Companies supported by CIKS, were formed in the year
2013 with technical support from CIKS i.e., Marutham Sustainable Agriculture
Producer Company Limited (MSAPCL) in Tiruvannamalai district and Valanadu
Sustainable Agriculture Producer Company Limited (VSAPCL) in the
Nagapattinam district both in Tamil Nadu State. These efforts were undertaken in
collaboration with Vrutti Livelihoods Resources, Bengaluru.
 Subsequently, CIKS was involved in forming ten additional Producer Companies
with support from NABARD as part of their POPI (Producer Organisation
Promoting Institutions) programmes.
 SFAC (Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium) has identified our Centre as a
resource agency for the support of Farmer Producer Organisations and currently
we are providing technical and organizational support to eleven FPCs, initiated
and supported by SFAC.
 Overall, at present CIKS is providing support and help to 23 FPCs which are
spread over nine different districts of Tamil Nadu.

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Indian Knowledge Systems

Through our initiatives, we have successfully turned a significant number of farmers

Promoting Famers’ Collectives

FARMER PRODUCER COMPANIES PROMOTED BY CIKS

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