Perceived attributes and adoption of Indigenous Technological Knowledge on agriculture - a case study from Bhirkot municipality of Syangja District, Nepal

Abstract

The authors conducted a study during August-September, 2020. This study to investigate the perceived attributes and adoption level of Indigenous Technological Knowledge in agriculture. A total of 356 farmers from different villages of Bhirkot municipality of Syangja district were considered for interviews that used a pretested questionnaire. More than half (64.89%) of the interviewed respondents had average level of knowledge regarding the use of indigenous means in agriculture. Utilization of farmyard manures to supplement the executives and erecting scarecrow for plant assurance were seen as most viable, observable, and triable. Mixed cropping, green manuring, utilization of animal and plant by-products, and seed storage in pot filled with ash were other common practices. However, there are several constraints such farmer’s preference for readymade inputs, sociological constraints, long waiting period to get the desired results from adoption of ITKs, and the paucity of government support that hindered the adoption of ITKs. The study recommended that the government should identify, preserve, and well document indigenous methods along with their comprehensive review for authenticating scientifically.