Identification and Documentation of Agricultural Indigenous Technical Knowledge among Yimkhiung Tribe, Nagaland, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.62303Keywords:
ITK, Yimkhiung, Agriculture, Nagaland, Identification, DocumentationAbstract
Nagaland, inhabited by 17 major tribes, possesses rich agricultural knowledge, with each tribe maintaining distinct customs while sharing a deep connection to nature and biodiversity. All the tribes have been practicing traditional methods of agriculture. Thus, the study was conducted out in the year 2025 with the objective to identify and document the agricultural Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) among the Yimkhiung tribe of Nagaland, India. The research was carried out in the Kiphire district covering Pungro and Khongsa blocks selected purposively, and three villages from each block were chosen randomly, namely Pungro, Old Vongti, Luthur, Longkhimvong, Khong, and Mimi, with a sample size of 120. Multistage random sampling method and descriptive research design were adopted. A total of 35 agricultural ITKs were identified and documented. Assessment of Effectiveness of 18 ITKs were also measured using PEI (Perceived Effectiveness Index). However, the preservation of ITK faces obstacles, including language barriers, ethical considerations, and resource limitations. Despite these challenges, documenting ITK is essential to safeguard this invaluable knowledge and facilitate its integration into contemporary practices. Through respectful collaboration, ITK can contribute to a more resilient, culturally rich, and sustainable future for Northeast India and beyond.
Downloads
References
Adedipe, N. O., Okuneye, P. A., & Ayinde, I. A. (2004, March 16–19). The relevance of local and indigenous knowledge for Nigerian agriculture. In International Conference on Bridging Scales and Epistemologies: Linking Local Knowledge with Global Science in Multi-Scale Assessment, Alexandria, Egypt. https://www.millenniumassessment.org/documents/bridging/papers/adedipe.nimbe.pdf
Anonymous, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Nagaland. (2018). Statistical data. https://statistics.nagaland.gov.in/storage/statistical_data/2019/2531601172059.pdf
Benjongtoshi, Kamni, P. B., & Talang, H. (2023). Identification of the indigenous pest control methods adopted in jhum fields of Mokokchung district, Nagaland. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 22(3), 491–495. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijtk.v22i3.5724
Berkes, F., Colding, J., & Folke, C. (2000). Rediscovery of traditional ecological knowledge as adaptive management. Ecological Applications, 10, 1251–1262. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[1251:ROTEKA]2.0.CO;2
Boruah, S., Borthakur, S., & Neog, M. (2020). Indigenous technological knowledge in pest and disease management of agricultural crops: A review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(9), 2867–2876. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.909.354
Das, A., Bhupenchandra, I., Saha, S., Chawdhury, S., Ansari, M. A., Pandey, P., Imtinuksung, & Singh, K. S. (2025). Blending traditional knowledge of farmers in agriculture with modern scientific technologies in the North-Eastern hill region of India. In Blending Indian Farmers’ Traditional Knowledge in Agriculture with Modern Scientific Technologies (pp. 585–607). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1020-4_27
Dutta, P., Zhimomi, L. K., & Ao, M. (2025). Preserving indigenous agricultural wisdom: Traditional tools of the Phom tribe of Nagaland, India. International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development, 8(12), 745–750. https://doi.org/10.33545/26180723.2025.v8.i12j.2831
Grenier, L. (1998). Working with indigenous knowledge: A guide for researchers. International Development Research Centre.
Hakbiji, T. (2002). The traditional, historical and prehistoric use of ashes as an insecticide, with an experimental study on the insecticidal efficacy of washed ash. Environmental Archaeology, 7(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.1179/env.2002.7.1.13
Isman, M. B. (2006). Botanical insecticides, deterrents, and repellents in modern agriculture. Crop Protection, 25(7), 650–659.
Kiphire District Administration. (2025). About district. Retrieved March 30, 2026, from https://kiphire.nic.in/about-district/
Lenka, S., & Satpathy, A. (2020). A study on indigenous technical knowledge of tribal farmers in agriculture and livestock sectors of Koraput District. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 56(2), 66–69. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.1882
Muthee, D. W., Gwademba, G. K., & Masinde, J. (2019). The role of indigenous knowledge systems in enhancing agricultural productivity in Kenya. Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research, 1(1), 23–33.
Nagi, T., Odyuo, M. N., & Longkumer, J. (2023). Inventory of indigenous technical knowledge and extent of usage of field implements of Angami tribe. Journal of Soils and Crops, 33(1), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10444046
Nain, M. S., Singh, R., Mishra, J. R., & Singh, A. K. (2024). Developing model for diffusion of farmers’ innovations for maximizing farm income: Indian Agricultural Research Institute experiences. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 60(1), 105–110. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2024.60120
Priyadarshni, P., Padaria, R. N., Burman, R. R., Singh, R., & Bandyopadhyay, S. (2021). Development and validation of knowledge test on indigenous alder based jhum cultivation and mechanism for knowledge dissemination. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 57(1), 1–7. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/109070
Rai, C. K., Singh, K., Lal, S. P., Arti, & Azad, A. K. (2019). Adoption and perceived effectiveness of indigenous technical knowledge among tribal farmers for bovine management: An exploratory study. International Journal of Livestock Research, 9(2), 243–253. https://ijlr.org/ojs_journal/index.php/ijlr/article/view/1373
Rajasekaran, B., Warren, D. M., & Babu, S. C. (1991). Indigenous natural resource management systems for sustainable agricultural development: A global perspective. Journal of International Development, 3(3), 387–401.
Rao, S. S. (2006). Indigenous knowledge organization: An Indian scenario. International Journal of Information Management, 26(3), 224–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2006.02.003
Roy, P., Maji, S., & Singh, P. (2023). Preserving indigenous technical knowledge: The need for documentation and cultural preservation in the context of North-East India. Food and Scientific Reports, 4(12), 10–17.
Sarkar, S., Padaria, R. N., & Saha, S. (2022). Understanding and validating the traditional rainfall classification and forecasting system with its implication to agriculture in Kalimpong Hill of West Bengal. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 21(2), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijtk.v21i2.30522
Sindhu, N., & Malik, J. S. (2020). Perceived effectiveness of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) in modern agriculture in Haryana State. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 56(2), 61–65. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/107760
Singh, L. K., & Devi, S. R. (2020). Traditional tools and implements used in jhum agriculture in Nagaland. Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 8(2), 293–297. https://doi.org/10.5958/2349-4433.2020.00059.8
Singh, M., Sharma, P. H. R., Mollier, R. T., Ngullie, E., Baisyha, S. K., & Rajkhowa, D. J. (2019). Tribal farmers’ traditional knowledge and practices for pig farming in Nagaland. The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 89(3), 329–333. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v89i3.88099
Speranza, I. C., Kiteme, B., Ambenje, P., Wiesmann, U., & Makali, S. (2010). Indigenous knowledge related to climate variability and change: Insights from droughts in semi-arid areas of former Makueni District, Kenya. Climatic Change, 100, 295–315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9713-0
Talukdar, R. K., Barman, S., & Hussain, A. (2012). Documentation and perceived rationale of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) utilized in Boro rice cultivation by farmers of Kamrup District of Assam. Journal of Academia and Industrial Research, 1, 412–418. https://jairjp.com/DECEMBER/13%20TALUKDAR.pdf
Vásquez-Parra, M., Figueroa-Velasco, J., Martínez-Aispuro, J., Sánchez Torres, M., García-Cue, J., Cordero-Mora, J., Lagunes-Tejeda, A., & Crosby-Galván, M. (2025). Addition of neem seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) to fattening pig diets. South African Journal of Animal Science, 55(9), 441–455.
Vliet, N. V., Mertz, O., Heinimann, A., Langanke, T., Pascual, U., & Schmook, B. (2012). Trends, drivers and impacts of changes in swidden cultivation in tropical forest-agriculture frontiers: A global assessment. Global Environmental Change, 22, 418–429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.10.009
Vision 2025, Department of Agriculture & Allied Departments, Government of Nagaland. (2025). Food for all. https://agriculture.nagaland.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/VISION-2025-DOCUMENT-low-resolution.pdf
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
