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Fresh ground flour of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is filled in a polythene bag and the bag is dumped in dung manure for eight days. After 8 days, the bag is pulled out and the content is mixed with water and sprayed on the aphid affected crop. This practice is found to control 95% of sucking pest (aphids spp.) within 24 hours. This method is more prevalent in Saurashtra region.



This gourd is a vigorous, annual vine that prefers hot days and warm nights like 18-30º C or 55-80º F, Lagenaria cross-pollinate easily hence the multitude of variations. The crop benefits from a large growing area, 3 m or 9 ft between plants, full sun, and mulch to prevent fruit from rotting.



Aerogram is devising a network to predict real-time air quality in a local mapped area. The designed device is equipped to monitor multiple pollutants. The startup is aligned with its vision to be the leading provider of data on air quality and be the most preferred air pollution management organization. The immediate aim is the provisioning of real-time local air quality data based on micro-mapping of defined air pollutants to enable masses in taking timely and precise actions to limit expos...



Urban Air Labs, Delhi invented a smart bio-filter flowerpot “Ubreathe” to purify the air. It amplifies the natural properties of the plants to eliminate toxic agents through the roots. Since a single plant cannot filter all the harmful pollutants, it has multiple plants. It combines air-purifying plants with technology to amplify the output of purified air. It consists of plants, a smart flowerpot, and microbe-enriched soil. The flowerpot needs electric power to work and has an axial fan insi...



Coir based seedling bag: In 2018, when Meenakshi C was made the Conservator of Forests in Kerala’s Central Region, her aim was to eliminate the age-old use of polythene bags to raise seedlings, and increase the awareness among youngsters about the positive effects of greenery in urban areas. Consequently, from January 2019 onwards, Meenakshi and her team started testing sustainable materials such as bamboo shoots, coconut shells, and gunny bags to grow the saplings. Sadly, none of these attem...



Plastic substitute, incremental improvement: Prasada Rao and his team have replaced plastic with bamboo for broom handles. Not only is bamboo easily available but is also a friend of the environment. Broom-making is an important forestry enterprise in several parts of the country and is also an important source of income to local communities, according to Rao. Moreover, his initiative has helped around 1000 tribal households get employment. They are involved in all the processes of the projec...



Natural Resource Management: Leak-proof bamboo bottles -a contribution to Atma Nirbhar Bharat!! IFS officer Prasad Rao is providing tribal artisans of Tripura training to create daily use items from bamboo, an abundantly available crop in the state. The bottles are made of an outer bamboo shell and an inner copper lining. The copper lining is used in the bottles to prevent fungus growth that is common with bamboo products. Copper is known to kill pathogens like bacteria, fungus and viruses. D...



Cure It, a green venture founded by Abhishek Mandaliya in 2016, employs a unique method known as drip curing, where a limited amount of water is dripped slowly at regular intervals for curing concrete. The method takes inspiration from the drip irrigation system that is used for agricultural purposes. The flow of water is controlled so that only the necessary amount of water is used, hence saving large quantities of water. The innovation includes multi-layered sheets comprising water pockets,...



Ankit Agarwal and his friend visited the Ghats of the River Ganges on the day of Makara Sankranti. They observed that In spite of being one of the most revered water bodies in India, why was this river turning carcinogenic and if it was us, the worshippers, who had turned against the river. They saw the colourful flowers being dumped from the temples nearby turn into mulch as they accumulated. When we had realized our mission is to repurpose this waste coming from places of worship, it was th...



MYCO-Capsules for Bioremediation of wastewater and Method for preparation of myco-tablets for bioremediation and myco-tablets thereof Highly efficient myotubules and capsules for bioremediation. A method for preparation of myco-tablets with high biological and physical efficiency with long preservation time and short activation time. Product has improved viability, dye removing efficiency, hardness, friability and disintegration time. Very helpful in treatment of wastewater.



A smart surface mesh with reversible wetting properties via a simple, eco-friendly and scalable approach for on demand oil-water separation. ZnO nanowires (NWs) obtained from chemical vapor deposition method were coated on a stainless steel (SS) mesh. The as-synthesized ZnO NWs coated mesh shows super hydrophilic/underwater super oleophobic behaviour. This mesh works in “water-removing” mode, where the super hydrophilic as well as underwater super oleophobic nature allows the water to permeat...



Biodegradable cutlery from agri waste: "Started in 2011 to provide a viable alternative to plastic cutlery in India, PAPPCO uses sugarcane, bamboo and wheat straw to manufacture its disposables. Bagasse is remolded to a kind of paper that is used to make plates, cups and glasses. Residual sugarcane called 'Bagasse' is churned & made into a pulp. With the help of high temperature and pressure, this pulp is molded into high-quality tableware. Pappco tableware is 100% compostable and can decompo...



a slip attached to the normal toilet makes cleaning in 250 ml possible



Rainmaxx Rainwater Harvesting tank is made up of recycle polypropylene. Tank is designed using large and small plates so that can be transported easily and can be assembled within no time at site. These tanks are substitute of RCC & brick tank which requires cement, boulder, gravel, sand and other non-renewable resources. Because of the design these tanks can take even fire tender load so the to surface can be used for anything like parking, driveway, landscaping etc. Sine no manhole is requi...



“The device converts the kinetic energy of the fluid into millions of targeted micro-bubbles each acting as localised reactors. This generates extreme heat, pressure and turbulence that release intense energy packets during the collapse of bubbles. The resultant shockwave, marked by a bang sound, lacerates and kills the microbes. The water, which is 99% safer than it was earlier, then emerges from the borewell or pump into the hands of those drawing it,” he says. Source: https://www.thebetter...



After observing bottlenecks in existing machinery available for straw incorporation, S. Talwinder Singh of Ucha Bohar Singh Wala village of Kapurthala district developed a reaper to manage the straw. He is a small but innovative farmer who is familiar with the problems of fellow farmers. As most of the vegetable growers of this area with small land holding cannot afford to buy costly straw management machinery. Also, custom hiring centres don't prefer to work on scattered small farms. Though ...



In order to overcome losses caused by various insect pests in crops, Roshan Laldevelopeda decoction prepared from bark& leaves, and leaves & fruits of two locally available plants (names withheld due to IP reasons). The decoction, at low doses, was found to be very effective in management of sucking and borer insects’ in wheat and vegetables like okra, cauliflower, Brinjal, wheat and barley in the various experiments he undertook at his farms during the last decade. The preparation once prepa...



Periyasami (64) is a farmer sustaining his livelihood undertaking agricultural activities in his two acres of ancestral land. He acquired the knowledge of herbal medication from his elders and through years of practice. Clinically, the condition of bloody diarrhoea in poultry is caused by a protozoan, Eimeria sp., and is called as Coccidiosis. The medication developed by the healer has three herbal ingredients in the ratio of 40:20:40 percent. It has to be administered to affected birds with ...



Genesis Poor and sporadic rainfall in Bijapur in 2006 resulted in shortage of ground water. The bore wells failed to show any ground water. The farmers were in dilemma toinstall motor pumps or not at their bore wells. Girish tested the water presence manually at different places using manual soundreflection. Then he realized that there was need to see the problem from inside the dug bore well. He experimented with normal camera, but could not succeed. Then he looked out for solutions and foun...



The innovator has built check dam with series of semi circular bunds on the river Dhrafad flowing through the innovator's village. For constructing the dam he took stones of the size of 11x15 inches and placed the stones in the flowing water keeping a little distance between two stones. Later on this gap was filled up using river sand, stones and cement. The total cost for this came up to Rs.10, 000 including the labour cost. The innovator has constructed this dam without any help from the go...



During the selection process of project, Shri. Arjunbhai Paghdar analysed that everyone in engineering is trying to reduce the use of conventional sources but there are still some places where we can’t avoid using conventional sources, one of them is Hindu Cremation. No one is paying attention on reducing the carbon coming out from crematoria. This is the place where people don’t want to avoid rituals and according to Hindu rituals we have to burn dead body which requires large amount of wood...



Biba/Bhilava (Semecarpus anacardium) plant has medicinal properties, which are extremely beneficial in diseases like piles, colitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, ascites, tumors and worms.The common practice of removing the shell of biba fruit is by hammering, but this causes infection in the hands of workers due to biba oil.



Juice/Pulp-extraction from various edible fruits is an essential requirement for making juices and other products (sauces, puree, ketchup, gel etc.). Also, extracting the juice, pulp, essential oils, essence from non - edible fruits having medicinal properties, is also a primary source of raw material for the Pharma/ Food Processing Industry and they need machines to extract juice etc from the fruits / flowers etc. In the market, available machines are useful for a specific purpose only (pulv...



It is a down draft type bio- mass gasifier, compact and efficient system for converting Bio Mass into producer gas which is used as a fuel for running Diesel Engine by making little modification in engine. The Biomass is burnt in a furnace packed from all sides and having one outlet to pass the gases to other chamber where these gases are cooled and then passed through the filter for filtration. This filtered gas is then fed to the engine, as a substitute to diesel or other fuel, for its runn...



Genesis of the innovation The innovator lives in a cold region where warm water is required for daily use. His family had a conventional hamam, or water-heater, which used wood as fuel. Watching smoke escape from the burning wood made him aware of heat wastage. His innovation came out of his experiments on the hamam to use this heat efficiently. He named the innovation after his son Raman Deep as Ramandeep Eco Hamam. The phrase “Eco” is used as the device is fuel efficient and produced less s...



Many times we see plants and flowers in our garden getting wilted due to lack of timely watering. Gardening has been Abdul’s hobby for long. Having noticed the problem he made a sensor controlled device that automatically switches on and off a motor depending upon the moisture content in the pot. The device is designed in such a way that when the moisture content in the soil gets below a preset value, the sensor gets activated and switches on the water pump. When the soil gets sufficiently wa...



C .V. Raju, a graduate in agricultural sciences from the village of Etikopaka, Andhra Pradesh belongs to a family of zamindars (landlords). He returned to his village after completing his education to take care of his land and family holdings. During that time, artisans from his village who faced acute financial problems were moving to the urban areas. Some 200 skilled families attached to his estate, including those adept at crafting traditional wooden toys, approached him for help and suppo...



Mr. M. Akasi (42) studied up to 6th standard. He has been running a tyre vulcanising centre in Reserve line, Sivakasi West, Virudhunagar District for the past 2.5 years. As a child labourer, he has worked in building construction, then became a mason and worked for 4 years. Afterwards he worked in offset pininting at Sivakasi for 3 years. He learnt driving and served as a driver of a tourist van for 9 years and then as a lorry driver from 1990 onwards transporting matches to other states. Dur...



Using Hollow bamboo for sub surface irrigation: Usually farmers apply water to summer crops like Bhendi, Chillies, and Cucumber etc. manually by using buckets. Farmers and their family members carry water to the sites of vegetation manually through buckets. Water source may be a pond or some times shallow dug out wells (Depth of wells not exceed 20 feet). In order to arrest the wastage of water Sri. Bimal Gayen has been using Bamboo hollow sticks for applying water directly to the roo...



Bio-mass Stove The stove is about 3x1 feet breadth and the height is 1.5 feet . He used bricks and redsoil for constructing this stove. He has provided a opening for inserting the bio-mass or sawdust. The stove is attached with a asbestos pipe for the exit of smoke to be released at the roof of the house . This stove is being used for frying " Murukku Snacks". The stove can be fixed in any place including the main hall of the house. It wil not release heat in the nearby area....



Voluntary involvement in herbal plant cultivation : He owned 5 acres of garden land and a pump set. Though he used chemical amendments in his land first, he is only now practicing organic farming. He allotted quarter portion of land for his family survival and the remaining would be for rearing of rare tree species and herbal plants. His garden now looks as a heaven.Now the garden has 200 types of herbal plants, 75 tree species, 15 fruit trees, and 15 types of flowers. Now his garden is eq...



Water conservation through agronomic practices and develooopment of bund former Sri. Dhanaraj owns more than 10 acres of land irrigated through open wells in Kalkurichi village of Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. He cultivates Tapioca, Sugarcane, Vegetables and Coconut. Due to intensive agriculture practised by farmers by applying chemical inputs and non-judicious use of ground water has led to affected the water table and also the water quality is becoming saltish. Sri. Dhanaraj deci...



The napkin-dissolving solution collects in a septic tank and thereby does not pave way for any kind of pollution. The device works under the principle that cotton gets dissolved in a chemical named Cuprammonium Hydroxide [Cu(NH3)4(OH)2] and its non-woven part can be recycled and used for making bags and covers. The cottondissolving chemical solution is passed to the septic tank while the undissolved nonwoven cotton is collected in a waste tray. The used napkin is put through the inlet of the ...



The cost of electric pump and hydroelectric power is high. The farmers with lower income group or poor economic background cannot afford these costly pumps. A bicycle operated duplex pump suited to the high water table region for pumping out the water for many uses. This pump is suitable for the area where the water table depth is 2-3m .



"Gem Enviro Management, founded in 2013 collects polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a kind of hard, lightweight plastic used in containers -waste from factories, offices, hotels, and institutes, and recycles them into products such as T-shirts, caps, and bags. These products are then sold under the brand of “Being Responsible”. Gem Enviro also works to further awareness regarding recycling and environment sustainability."






Compressed air engines use the energy of compressed air to do useful work. Various grassroots innovators from different parts of the country have approached the problem of non-renewable energy in their own way. They have independently conceived and worked on the concept of compressing air and using it to run engines. Some have operated scooters and motorcycles, some others four-wheelers while some only have a proof of concept. No matter what stage the technology may be in,http://nif.org.in/in...



Antoji lives in the coastal area of Cochin, where the ground water is saline. Once, while watering his garden the hose pipe fell down and pierced the soil up to 30 cm due to water pressure. This triggered the thought about developing a rain water harvesting technique using the pressure of water. In his system the roof top rainwater is stored in a pressure tank. With the help of PVC pipes,it is injected to a depth below sea water level. The injected fresh water recharges and dilutes the ground...



It is a sound speaker system consisting of eight cylindrical speakers arranged in a circular assembly around a centrally located cylindrical woofer system. This speaker system is constructed of stainless steel drums that give the desired bass with an extra ‘punch’ for the audience. The speakers used are Taiwan made Branded speakers where alterations in the shape of the speaker box have been done. Wooden plywood is provided with foam at the rear end of the individual speakers to arrest destruc...



Solar panels are a growing industry in Energy Systems used around the world. However, these solar panels are very inefficient and also become less efficient as ambient temperatures become higher. Melanin is a complex polymer derived from the amino acid tyrosine and is also responsible for what gives an individual its skin and hair color. Melanin has electrical properties, binds tightly to metals, absorbs the entire wavelength spectrum of sunlight, and also resists high temperatures without de...



The Bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticle has been carried out by using Azadirachta Indica leaf extract by microwave irradiation method. This microwave irradiation method of synthesis is rapid which converted silver salt into silver nanoparticles within few minute under the presence of leaf extract of A. Indica. The change in colour of aqueous solution of silver nitrate from colourless to brown colour confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles. The resultant synthesized silver nanoparticl...



The practice of keeping cut branches of Calotropis (Calotropis spp.) at the entrance of rain water channel in the field minimizes the striga population.



Concentrated solution of jaggery is prepared and poured in and around the grub holes to attract ants. Ants are the natural predators and help to reduce populations of white grub. A mixture of sugar and ghee or clarified butter oil is poured in the holes to attract ants.



Cultivation of groundnut after two lines of maize production in the `Kharif' season



This practice begins at the appearance of the symptoms and is continued at 7-19 days interval. Thereafter the water is filtered out and sprinkled over the chilli plants.



500 g tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) powder or snuff is mixed thoroughly in 2.5 l water. Then this solution is filled in a pump and sprayed on the crop. In case of severe infestation the mixture is sprayed once every week. Moreover, decoction of pungent chillis is also sprayed. The idea of using tobacco came to Bhikabhai the as snuff powder is regularly used by humans to destroy head-lice in hair."



Green larvae infestation leads to a heavy economic loss for the farmer due to less production of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) crop. To prevent the loss, Nathabhai Vankar uses the leaves of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) as well as one kilogram of its fruit. He thoroughly mixes the bitter gourd leaves and fruits in water and sprinkles the juice on the okra crop. This effectively controls infestation by green larvae on the crop.



A secondary stem sprouts in brinjal (Solanum melongena) plant when it attains about half metre of height. At this stage the brinjal plant becomes prone to termite attack. Arjanbhai Bharwad of village Sheel, district Amreli of Gujarat at such time allows the small pieces of aloe (Aloe vera) leaves to flow with water of irrigation channel. This eradicates the termite infestation. He learnt this method from his forefathers



Sucking pest aphids generally attack the standing crop, vegetable plants and vines. It damages leaves, flowers and stem of the plant and gets the food gradually by sucking the sap. It remain stuck to the plant, damages the crop and thus plant becomes unproductive. According to Dharmendrabhai Gorad of Pharangataa village of Junagadh district, take one kilogram fruits of neem (Azadirachta indica), which are crushed thoroughly. In this mixture, one liter of water is added and concoction is prepa...



Gram hay is useful for the preservation of gram (Cicer arietinum) seed. In the storage house, the bags of gram seed are systematically arranged over the hay layer.A second hay layer of one and half to two feet on the top of to expel air pockets. Thereby air circulation is prevented and seeds are warmed by hay heat and their germination power is retained. Learnt the method from his forefather.



Increased aphied infecatation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) reduces its yield the aphied is va very minute pest It lands on the plant leaves & sucks leaf anested to control the pest green leaves of custured apple (Annona squamosa) are boiled in water for long, cooled filtered and the filterate is sprayed on the infested crop. The method has desceded from his forfather.



Brinjal (Solanum melongena) crop is infected with fruit and shoot-boring insects. Due to boring of leaves the plant wilts and due to boring of fruits the yield is reduced. Control of such insects is necessary. For this purpose, carom (Trachyspermum ammi) and dillseed (Peucedanum graveolens) are powdered and mixed with ash. This mixture is sprayed on the crop. The spraying controls infestation by shoot-boring insects. Many farmers in rural Surat use this traditional practice.



Larval infestation in the sapota (Achras sapota) crop leads to a heavy loss of production due to sucking and eating of fruits and leaves by the pest. To control larval infestation, Khatubhai Patel prepares a juice of the leaves of basil (Ocimum sanctum ) after grinding and then adds 500 g water to the mash. This solution should then be sprinkled on the peach crop. This traditional technique completely eliminates the larvae.



Paddy (Oryza sativa) seed for raising plants/seedlings should be kept for 24 hours in rain water containing manure. The paddy seeds are thus washed in rainwater. The leaves of pungent toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica) should then be mixed with the paddy seeds and tightly secured in a quilt/gunny bag. Soon small sprouts, of half an inch, arise from the seeds. At the same time, the leaves of tooth-brush tree are spread in the area of paddy culture. Tiny paddy plants grow in the culture within...



Insect infestation and blight affect the crops of rice (Oryza sativa), mustard and lucern causing loss of production. These insects thrive in cold and humid weather. For the control of insects and blight, Ratilal Patel prepares a mix of 1 kg castor (Ricinus communis) oil and 20 kg ashes of dung-cake. This mix should be sprinkled on the crops. The medication shows its effect within 2-3 days. About 80% insects are controlled by this technique. The use of 20 kg of the mix is sufficient for one b...



There are several ways to preserve grain for long. To store edible grain for one year and more, Gandabhai Patel has a simple method. He mixes 250 gram seed of red chili (Capsicum annuum) with the grain proposed to be stored. But it will be better if the grain is stored in a cylindrical structure such as drum or vessel. Such a structure and the chili seed have a greater scope to preserve the grain from insects and so on. It goes without saying that after ensuring the two requirements the mou...



When cumin (Cuminum cyminum) crop is sown repeatedly in the same field, the yield of crop is reduced. For increasing the yield, Mansukhbhai Patel takes the flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) . It is sprayed on the cumin crop in the proportion of two mounds of flour per one "bigha" land. This increases land fertility and controls diseases and insect infestation. The yield of cumin also increases.









White ant infestation mostly occurs in black soils that are generally wet with high humidity. In such lands, Dhamajibhai Dihora suggests the spreading of common salt to prevent white ant infestation. Besides, he makes heaps of dry pasture around the field so as to draw the white ants and leave the crop alone. This is a traditional method used by farmers in the Sosiya area in Bhavnagar district.



White ants attack the root and trunk of the plants and trees and leave horticulture crops dry. This infestation mostly occurs in the summer season. As prevention is better than cure, Roopsangbhai Kodipatel in fact prepares the crop land to ward off white ants. He makes a solution of 1 kg leaves and stalks of crown flower (Calotropis gigantean) in water. Then he makes small pits at regular intervals in the horticulture field. He pours the solution into the pits and ensures it lasts for some t...



Seeds or grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum) can be stored for long time by storing them along with the wheat husk.



Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) crop, which is to be irrigated at that site, 5 feet long, 3 feet broad and 3 feet deep pit is made and it is filled with the water and onion (Allium cepa). Before the onset of monsoon season, three days prior the initiation of striga (Striga asiatica) weed, 100 kg castor cake (Ricinus communis) is placed in that pit and allowed to ferment. This quantity is sufficient for 1 ha of land. The water is passed from this pit as and when irrigation is required. One p...



Newly transplanted finger millet (Eleusive corocana) are mainly affected by stem borers. Infested crop shows symptoms of yellowing and dead heart. The infest plant do not bear penicle, or the penicle may remain empty. Finally affecting the yield. To control these stem borers, 500 g of fresh water fishes are packed in a air tight container with 4 to 5 liters of water. These containers with fishes are placed in a lonely place and allow the fishes to decompose. A typical smell of decomposed fi...



A typical solution to ward off the breeding of the insects in the buds of the plants consists of neem (Azadirachta indica), turmeric (Curcuma longa), cows urine and cowdung. Pound neem leaves 3 kg into fine powder, add turmeric 300 g, cow urine 5 l, and cowdung 5 kg. Add water 20 L, mix well, and leave the solution to stand for two days. After filtering this solution through a cloth, dilute in 200 l of water and spray on the crop. Apart from bringing the insects under control, presence of...



Rice horn caterpillar is a serious pest of paddy crop (Oryza sativa), it feeds on leaves and young penicles. This all results in yield loss. To control this insect pest, 500 g seeds and one kilogram leaves of castor (Ricinus communis) are fine grinded and one liter of concentrate extract is prepared from it. About 5 L water is added in this concentrate extract and sprayed on the pest affected crop. The remedy controls about 50 % of pest in paddy crop.



Whenever crops are affected by pests, the stalks become weak and the grains become black in appearance. Even the plant develops a black colour and the yield decreases. To protect the crops from damage, the farmers of the Dangs region extract 2-3 l of juice from the fresh fruits of the mahua (Madhuca indica) tree. They then add four liters of water to it. This concoction is sprayed over the field. On spraying this mixture over a one acre farm leads to about 50% control over the aphid infestati...



Left over tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves and buttermilk are mixed and put around the curry tree (Murraya koenigii) to improve growth.



Seed treatment with Neem (Azadirachta indica) helps to keep away stray animals



Naranbhai Sarvaliya confirms prevention is better than cure. Even before transplanting mango (Mangifera indica) and black plum (Syzygium cumini), he puts 2 kg of castor (Ricinus communis) oil cake in the pits dug up for transplanting either mango or black plum saplings. This he does to ensure that termites do not attack the roots of the two important fruit trees. The addition of oil cake is intended to prevent possible termite attack on the fruit trees. Termites apparently do not relish the b...



Rats eat away the cotton capsules [pods], the stalks, roots, etc. of the crop and create a lot of damage. Nanji Bhagwanbhai Chauhan of Sosia village, Bhavnagar has adopted a very interesting method to control this epidemic. They put pods of kuvech (Mucuna pruriens) in the rat holes so that when the rats come out they come into contact with it. The minute fibres on the pods create a lot of itching if they fall on some part of the body or if they are touched, so the rat starts running around a...



The epidemics of diamond back moth starts from 25 to 30 days of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata) plantation. The catter pillar proceed from the upper leaves to the inner core of the cabbage. Consequently the market value of cabbage is reduced. Farmers call these worms the ""Hagariya"" worms because there is an accumulation of lot of excreta outside the hole. For this per 2.4 ha of crop mix, juice of 1.5 kg lime, five litre buttermilk and 20 L water and sprayed on the crop, before th...



To prevent grasshoppers and aphids from destroying the sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) or chastiya crop, use one bagful of the branches of crown flower (Calotropis gigantean). The branches along with leaves are soaked in a big vessel containing water. This becomes the stock solution for spraying on the sorghum crop. Before spraying the solution, take out the used branches and place them at random in the field. This furthers the spraying effort. Farmer Naranbhai Sarvaliya has adopted this method ou...



To prevent the grasshopper from destroying the pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) crop, the seeds are first soaked in the juice of wind killer (Clerodendrum phlomidis). The seeds are then sown. The grasshopper keeps off such a field. Thus the destruction caused by the grasshopper is controlled. Besides, adopting the practice will increase pearl millet production. Many people have adopted this traditional method.



Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is cultivated in semi-arid areas of Gujarat. However, one of the major limiting factors in its productivity is bacterial blight disease. Disease is favoured by humid and cloudy weather, especially off season raining at flowering stage of the crop. To control this disease, proper care is required at the very critical stage. About one kilogram of sugar is mixed with 5 kg of salt and grinded to powder. The powder thus obtained is dusted on the cumin crop on the cloudy ...



A quarter to one feet pieces of alangium (Alangium salvifolium) and organic manure are layered on each other for three to four times in trench and compost is ready after 8 months of buried. This compost is layered, around the trunk of mango (Mangifera indica) tree. It will induce early flowering and fruiting in mango tree. This is a traditional practice learnt from forefathers.



Brilliant gardenia (Gardenia resinifera) is also called as "jangali champo" in the forest area of Dang and Chhota Udaipur. This plant is 3 to 6 ft in height and bears white coloured fragrant flowers in the month of October. Fruit setting starts during the month of December and lasts up to the month of February. Seeds are light green in colour. About 150-250 g brilliant gardenia seeds and 100 g ocher are crushed and added to 1 L of water. This mixture is smeared on the trunk of mango (Mangifer...



Ergot disease causes heavy loss to the pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) crop. For the control of the disease, collect equal quantities of the leaves of wind killer (Clerodendrum phlomidis) and worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) and extract the juices. Soak the seeds of pearl millet in this compound juice and dry them in the sunlight. Then sow these dried seeds. So treated ergot disease will not affect the crop which is a traditional method.



For every 10 kg pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) seed, Rubabhai Rathod takes one kilogram worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) plant and keeps the plant soaked in two litres water for some time. He filters this solution and sprinkles it on pearl millet seeds. The odour of the worm killer in the seed keeps away ""khapedi"" (grub) and secures the plant through the seedling stage. Thus ""khapedi"" infestaion in sprouting crop of millet and sesame (Sesamum indicum) can be prevented.



Cotton gets offected by the bloat pots when cotton gets to three month old its affected areas according to makhwana farmer head 1 kg situated leaves in a vessel so that only four liter out to 10 L after allow it to cool sprinkle 10 L of water mixed with 100 gm of this medicine over cotton field cotton contineus to sprinkleing every 8 to10 days the treatment depennds on the age the crop used treatment in areastral and is contineus for years. Everybody inthe village known this is learnt from oi...



There are a large number of mango orchards in the Valsad district of Gujarat. These are host to a variety of mangoes. Many a times, because of the fruit fly menace, rotting sets in the mango (Mangifera indica) fruits just as they near ripening. To prevent such damage to the crop, the farmers plant shrubs of jungali tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) and krishna tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in the mango orchards. They believe that the medicinal properties of the tulsi plant prevent the fruit flies from affec...






In Valsad district of Gujarat, to keep disease free lemon (Citrus limon) plant, two inch long rusty nails of iron are placed on the trunk of lemon. Innovator is using this treatment at the interval of three to four years. He believed that by this technique, the lemon plant can be made disease free and more production of fruits can be obtained.



The farmers Shri Bhavanbhai said that to stop fox eating berries, thorns are put the perimeter of the farm. The entire village uses this traditional method.



Cultivation of cotton and tuvar is done on a large scale in the Valia taluka of Bharuch district. About seven to eight years ago immense epidemic of various pests like green larvae, lashkari larvae, parasites etc was seen in cotton. The farmers used chemicals indiscriminately, still insects were not controlled. How would they get controlled? They grew in the atmosphere of these chemicals so it was like tonic to them. In this situation Ahmedbhai Kadiwala, Gamalsinh Rana, and other farmers of ...



Cumin seed (Cuminum Cyminum) seeds are scattered all over the field. This is a useful method that ensures burying of the seeds in the ground and saving of time. However, sometimes many of the seeds may remain above the ground, and when the field is watered, the seeds are washed to any corner of the field, where they collect. The growth of all these seeds at one location results in improper growth and causes loss to the farmer. Using small branches of spunge tree (Prosopis Cineraria) or tooth ...



During the growth phase of rice paddy (Orysa sativa) saplings, deadly stem borers known as ""gabmaro"" worms start appearing. They cling to the inner wall of the stem and the length could be as much as 30 centimetres. These insects prevent healthy rice spikes emerging out of the stem. The insects are usually green in colour with black spots in their body. Patel learnt of a very effective method from Ambalal Jivabhai, a senior resident of Rasalpur village in Thasra taluka of Gujarat, to con...






Use leaves of sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica) are added in the soil before planting of onion and garlic crops. For this practice approximate, two tractor load of sun hemp and toothbrush leaves are enough for one acre land. This practice increases crops yield. This practice is learnt from forefathers.



The humidity in the air following the first rains during the monsoon season makes the environment ideal for the breeding of various insects. Several species of insects like the fruit fly, sucking insects, and Castor semilooper insects abound and attack fruit crops. These insects damage the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium guajava) as well as other vegetable crops. To control extensive damage to the crop, Shah makes use of powders of tamaku or tobacco (Nicot...



To increase the yield in paddy (Oryza sativa) crop, seedlings needs to be healthy. and so following method has proved to be efficient in increasing the yield of crop.Waste grass, weeds, and other plant material on the land to prepare seedbed are burned. This is known as raking. The process of raking helps in burning the residues of diseases and the soil insect pest. Thereafter, 2 cart load of husk of castor (Ricinus communis) is added to the soil and watered. The material added gets decompos...



Gram (Cicer arientinum) is consumed as vegetable which fetches more price compared to dry grams. Manually harvest needs more time and altimately more cost, so to reduce the cost of separating green pods of gram from plant, iron nails of 3 inches are fitted on the wooden block and the plant with pods is allowed to pass through it. This separates the green pods from the plant. Method is very efficient and a single person can separate about 450 to 500 kg of green pods a day.This is self develop...



Damage in field crops like castor (Ricinus communis), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and maize (Zea mays) is due to stray animals. To control this problem at the time of sowing of these crops, the two line of castor (Ricinus communis) seeds sown around the field as border crops which are coated with three days old sour buttermilk. Animals are away from the field due to foul smell. This practice is learnt from forefathers.



Farmers of Junagadh district are sowing garlic (Allium sativum) at a distance of 4.5 inches. It is not possible to sow at such a short distance with normal sowing instruments. In the normal sowing instrument, distance between two jaw is 9 inches, so to sow the seed at 4.5 inches, the farmer has to sow 1st normally and then again sow the seed in between two already sown rows to maintain the distance of 4.5 inches. But in second sowing the bullock pulling the sowing implement may walk on t...



We should be careful before storing the grains in the granary. Due to the store grain pests, the keeping quality of grain deteriorates. The exiguous holes are observed on the grains by which the grains are not used for the food purpose. Dudabhai Arjanbhai Pandav of Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district uses, traditional method for storage of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains. After harvesting of wheat crop, the chaff is left. This chaff is tightly filled in a room to settle. From the middle por...



Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus) is a natorious weed, observed all the year round, but is more prominant during monsoon season. It has tubers at the base, which remains dormant in the off season and gets active during monsoon on availibility of moisture. To control this weed in field crops, the shells of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) (that remains after picking of cotton from cotton bolls) are spread on nut grass weed infested land. Ploughing is done to mix the cotton shells with the weed infested...



In the crop of bottlegourd new sprout stops developing and this affects the yield if there is continuous rain, poor soil type and similar other factors. Under such circumstances, farmers try out large number of practices to tackle the problem. Shri Dineshbhai Jivabhai of Hatrod village of Sabarkantha District uses buttermilk and castor oil (Ricinus communis) to improve the productivity of bottlegourd. According to the information provided by the farmer use 10 L two days old buttermilk and 5 L...



If the papaya (Carica papaya) crop does not fructify, it means a heavy loss for the farmer who is banking on it. When he was faced with the problem of his papaya crop not flowering or bearing fruit, Maganbhai Sheladiya hit upon a good idea. He put a coconut shell and pressed it hard on the crown of the papaya tree. To his pleasant surprise a strange thing happened. Soon tender leaves, followed by flowers, started growing from the groove of the trunk. Maganbhai explains that by pressing down c...



To avoid wilting in groundnut, Hasmukhbhai Patel of Chorvad uses lime water. He sprays 200 g lemon juice mixed in 15 litres water on the groundnut crop. This not only stops the green leaves from turning yellow but also leads to resistance against wilt disease and insects. The solution should be sprayed once a week throughout the groundnut season. On our second visit, Hasmukhbhai told us that he stores grains with neem leaves for longer shelf life, a well-known practice. He has made the plough...



There is high incidence of heliothis in the crop of tur (Cajanas cajan) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). This pest creates tremendous damage by feeding on the pods and seeds of tur and balls of cotton. In the current year the farmers of Sabarkantha and Kheda have uprooted and destroyed their 3 months old crop due to the heavy infestation by the pest. Shri Laxmanbhai Radadiya of Jetpur village of Rajkot district uses bajara flour to control this pest. According to the information provided by t...



It is very important to select the good seeds to have higher production. Where farmers are using desi seeds there are many practices prevalent to selection of good quality seeds. For seed using bulb as the seed does production the cultivation of onion. In the North Gujarat the crop of onion grown for the seed production is known as Bhungada. Shri Gemabhai Chavada of Paniwada village of Bhavnagar District uses an interesting technique for the selection of he bulbs for seed production of onion...



There are a number of practices to ripen bananas. Dineshbhai Prajapati from Jeetpura village of Anand taluka uses lime water to ripen bananas. According to him, for 20 to 25 bananas, 50 gm lime should be diluted in 3 l water and the solution should be sprayed over the fruit. The bananas ripen in 3-4 days. After plucking the banana bunch from the tree, lime spraying should be done in the night. This is done just once. It is a traditional practice.



Nagaraju, a potato farmer has developed an innovative practice of sowing seeds. This technique saves on labour and also gives a good yield. He noticed that seeds which were accidentally left lying around were also germinating well. So in this new technique, the seeds are sown using the broadcast method and the soil is then levelled over the seeds using a wooden plank drawn by a pair of bullocks. Manure is applied before levelling the soil and it is ensured that all the seeds are covered in so...



For the control of this insect and its larvae, Hamirbhai Parmar creates a small, spicy but elaborate fire, the smoke of which rids the vegetable plants of insects. He lights the fire by gathering dry grass and bark of coconut (Cocos nucifera) early in the morning (4-5 a.m.). In the fire, he puts twigs of black mustard, swallow wart and neem tree as well as husks of garlic, onion and fenugreek. This traditional practice kills the insects if it is carried out four times in as many days. Farmers...



The infestation of sucking pest (aphids) is seen in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) when the crop is one-and-a-half to three months old. Some farmers call it "sakariya".Sometimes the sucking pest aphids cause 70-80 % damage in crops like fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and mustard (Brassica juncea). According to the farmer, when the wind is mild in the morning, green or dried leaves of eucalyptus are burnt in the farm to create smoke. If needed, the practice is repeated after one week. As it spreads,...



If smut disease occurs in the sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) crop, Vallabhbhai Patel suggests planting of seeds of Bishop weeds (Trachyspermum ammi) along with the seeds of broom corn. This prevents smut disease in the crop of sorghum. He learnt of this technique from his elders.



During rainy season (Sep–Nov) there is usually a growth of mushrooms in the collar region of the trees of acid lime. If these mushrooms are not controlled it will lead to death of trees. Farmers in this area usually apply Bordeaux mixture for control of mushrooms. Bordeaux mixture needs 4-5 days to suppress the growth of mushrooms. Anthonisamy has found an alternative method of control by using locally available materials. 2 kg of Aloe vera and 1 kg garlic are crushed and ground well by addin...



If the gram crop (Cicer arietinum) is affected by green larvae, the plants become dry as larvae suck all the nutritive elements. To control infestation by green larvae, Rameshbhai Damajibhai spreads juice of the leaves of wind killer (Clerodendrum phlomidis) in the crop area before the planting of seeds. This practice successfully prevents infestation by the green larvae. He learnt of this technique from his elders.



Forty year old Nagjibhai Bachubhai Rathore of Bhavnagar district uses the fruits of ingoria (Balanites roxburghii) to induce flowering in brinjal 476 (Solanum melongena) and chilli (Capsicum annuum). When brinjal and chilli plants are weak, insufficient flowering occurs. Nagjibhai collects 50-60 ingoria fruits which he soaks in water for 24 hours. Then he removes the skin of the fruits and prepares an extract from it. He mixes 250 ml of this extract in 10 l of water. The number of sprays requ...



Centurion Noorbai Ismailsha Sultansha Shamdar Fakir in Jamnagar district continues with an age-old grain storage practice. First, a pit about eight to ten feet deep is made. Ear heads of pearl millet are placed at the bottom of the pit in a layer of about half a feet. The grains that need to be stored are then placed in a layer of one feet. The ear heads, in another layer of half a feet height, are kept on top of the grains. This sequence is repeated several times. The final layer is made of ...



First, Nanjibhai Bhani makes small pieces of stalks of crown flower (Calotropis gigantea) weighing 600 g and soaks these in 10 l of water for 10 to 15 days. After a fortnight, this water is sprayed on the affected chilli (Capsicum annuum) plants. The treatment controls as much as 80 % of white ant infestation and saves the crop by that much. Nanajibhai learnt this technique from a fellow-farmer.



Usually farmers apply urea to boost the growth of paddy seedlings in the nursery stage. This practice is followed 10 days before pulling out the seedlings for transplanting. Mugundan wanted to replace chemical fertilizer with organic means. He tried using groundnut cake and cow’s urine. It worked well. Mugundan has sown 400 kg of paddy seeds (Ponni variety) in 50 cents for raising a nursery. Twelve days before pulling out the seedlings, he soaked groundnut cake (10 kg) in cow’s urine (20 lit)...






Infestation of green larvae leads to a loss of crop production due to their sucking out nutritive elements from the leaves as well as pulses. Therefore, Nathabhai Vankar suggests a solution formed by soaking two kilogram mahuva (Madhuca indica) flowers in two litres of water. This solution is then sprayed on the crop of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) for the control of green larvae infestation. This successful technique has been learnt by the farmer from hi...



Take one measure quantity of paddy which is about 2 kg, is to be taken from the stock of paddy proposed to store. The measured paddy to be heated under dry condition. This heated paddy become puffed. This heated paddy can be mixed with the other paddy which is to be stored without pest attack. If the paddy is stored in this manner, the pest attack will be prevented during storage period.



Nanje Gowda, a farmer was growing red gram using the conventional practice of sowing the seeds in straight line furrows. However, this results in dense plantation and low yield, which did not improve despite the use of fertilizers, pesticides and weeding practices. He then tried a new practice. The land is ploughed both horizontally and vertically to create furrows. The ploughing is done in such a way that there are holes formed at the intersection of furrows. Two to three seeds and two handf...






According to traditional knowledge of the tribal people in Dang district, the branches of Banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) promote flowering in plants. Tulasyabhai Somabhai Bagul has adopted this practice. About 500 gm of tender branches of banyan is mixed with two liters of water. This mixture is sprayed on the plant using a sprayer, during the flowering stages. He has been practicing this in his fields for urad and paddy crops. Tulasyabhai is known as a bhagat in the village. He also has kn...



He developed a formula by using locally available materials for coating the seeds. It includes cow dung 200 kg, Panchagavya 2 L, Leaves of Mango, Glyricidia, Thumbai (Leucas aspera), Tulasi, Neem each 10 kg. Are chopped and immersed in the solution. Keep it for 2 weeks and allow for fermentation in a plastic barrel or trough. All are thoroughly mixed and stirred well. He developed a mixing tool for applying the paste over the paddy seeds. He designed aluminium tray of 6 x 1 feet size and hole...






Circular ridges of about 3 to 4 feet height with 6 feet diameter was made at 10 feet distance between the ridges. It is a raised bed for raising vegetables in order to avoid stagnating water during rainy season. This will avoid problems created due to excess moisture and also facilitating seepage of water for easy drainage. He is sowing red amaranths, snake gourd, bitter gourd, beans, kovaikai (Coccinia indica). If he is planting bitter gourd in the first year then he will change the crop in ...



Aphids cause extensive damage to fruits and vegetables, especially during the flowering stages. They suck out the sap from the flowers and cause them to dry up. Mohanbhai Lalabhai Jala uses the tender leaves of kerda (Capparis decidua) to overcome this problem. Five kgs of tender leaves of kerda is boiled in seven litres of water. The mixture is sprayed on the crop three to four times. The mixture is effective, not only against aphids, but also other sucking pests. Mohanbhai came across this ...



Green larvae suck out the nutritive elements from the leaves of crops leaving them yellowish and drooping and eventually dropping off the plant. Besides, the larvae also eat up the pulses being formed. To control the pest, Kantibhai Vankar suggests that a two-kilogram solution of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) be sprinkled on the crop of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) at the time of flowering. This prevents the green larvae infestation before pulses formation. Subsequently, pulses of good qua...



He cultivates many traditional varieties of vegetables and he identified one traditional bhendi variety (Pachai bhendi) which is resistant to pest and disease and harvesting of pods prolonged upto 3 months and 2 month in the modern variety. His variety fetches more prize like Rs. 5 extra per kg. due to good taste and look



Mohanbhai Jhala from Kalesar village of Mahemdabad Taluka uses the leaves of Toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica) to augment fertility in his farm. Sprinkling the powdered leaves of (Salvadora persica L.) in the furrows of crops like brinjal, chilly, potato makes the crop healthy, reduces the infestation of pests and the effects of wilt. Using the leaves with organic manure is beneficial even during the cultivation of cereal crops like paddy, millet, wheat. About 20 kg (Salvadora persica) leav...



Green larvae suck out the nutritive elements from the leaves of the Indian cotton crop. Once affected the leaves are prone to droop and drop down. The green larva also eats up cotton developing in the shells of Indian cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) plants. This leads to terrible loss of production for the grower. So, to avoid the fate befalling most of his fellow-growers, Kantibhai Vankar sprinkles two litres of the milk of milk hedge (Euphorbia neriifolia) diluted in three litres of water per ...



For the vegetable crop grown in pandal system he developed smoking method of pest control which is very effective he claims. He is making smoking by using dried agricultural waste materials at every alternate days.



The groundnut fields are immediately ploughed after the monsoon crop and the furrows are kept exposed till the onset of the next monsoon. It is believed that the fine soil and dust deposited on the furrows by the wind during summer benefits the groundnut being planted in the same furrows. Sometimes farmers incorporate small pieces of bricks in the soil as an alternative to trap wind-borne soil.



After mango fruits are plucked from the trees, they are usually kept for ripening for about 10-12 days. Fruits at this stage are very susceptible to pest attack. To control this situation, Mr Venkataramana Bhat puts the fruits in hot water at 60-65°C for 10-12 minutes. The moth eggs laid on mangoes are destroyed, and the fruits remain fresh for longer period.



Leaves of tobacco 250 gm, soap 250 gm, are put in a vessel and 10 L of water is added. Keep it overnight. Next day diluted with water 10 times and sprayed to crops are control of all insect pests.



Farmers prepare an extract of tobacco leaves and mix it with equal quantities of bajra flour and butter milk.



Farmers scrap away the top layer of soil to the boundaries of the field with the help of the tractor drawn scrapper. However, the depth of the scrapped layer is not fixed. It depends on the slope and topography of the soil. Collected soil is used for preparing the strong bunds around the field which help in harnessing the rain water. People believe that most of the salt is removed with the upper layer of the soil. Farmer follows this practice just before the onset of the monsoon.



As informed by farmer to incerease production/yield around the palnts because of this plants growth becomes goood ans more yield of fruits occurs in this plants grows It and flowers donjotn blosom, around the plants bottom cow-dung grows better and the fuirt yield increase. This method has been tried as mentioned above, and got good result claim the farmer this method is tradtional. This method is used for kitchen-gardern in this area, so manu farmer use this this method is learnt from forefa...



As information farmer shir mangigabhai gangabhai caterpillar infestion in crop of (Oryza sativa) and (Elenie coracana) can be the following method. 500 gm of (Nymphaea pubecenus) trees bark, 1 kg of keel trees bark and 5 L of water are required for this process. the first mentional two bark to the fine-ground 5 L through filter cloth in one acres land corps, this solution be sprayed using a buck and broom by so treating caterpiller years, he used in his oryzasativa and Elensine corecana crop...






Caterpillar infestation occurs in paddy (Oryza sativa) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana) crops at the time of grain formation. They cause damage to grains and leaves of the crop. Significant damage is noticed in the monsoon season. Cloudy atmosphere is ideally suited to the caterpillars. As a result the population of caterpillars is increased in this season and the damage altimately. This all leads to yield loss of the crop. The pest is reported here to be controlled by herbal extract. Fo...



As informed by farmershir Radakyabhai Rayajbhai, pest (caterpiller) coracana cops cna be controlled medicine shall be used effctively. 2 L of small calfs urine, 100 gm of (Cocos nuciferas), 1 L of plain water. All mixed together should be applied sprayed on the above crops per one acre crops by so doing caterpiller pse can be controlled is traditional and its use is being doine since 20 years from forefather for last 10 years this methos is being use dby 20% poeple this medicine effect is fo...



To protect the crop, a shed is made on which the creeper is spread uniformly for the growth and development. For the control of heliothis, wastes of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) are placed uniformly over the shed, where the ivy gourd crop has grown and diffused its leaves. As a remedy, 20 kg waste of sugarcane crop are required for half an acre of land to cover. The waste of sugarcane crop are sweet in taste as it attracts other insects, pests and birds to feed on. Similarly, they look o...



Use of dry leaves of banyan (Ficus benghalensis) and teak (Tectona grandis), dry grass, and kerosene for controling of grasshopper in sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)



Take 100 gm bark of payar and 100 g bark of sadad tree, grind it to powder and add water of one dry coconut (Cocos nucifera) fruit to it. Make the total volume of 1 L. Spray this mixture to 0.24 hectare of area of finger millet crop. Crop should be sprayed immediately as soon as the crop starts yellowing. Second spray should be given at the interval of 15 days. This practice is reported to give 60% control of yellowing of finger millet. Good results are obtained with in 20 days.



The pounded 500 gm black thorn apple (Datura innnoxia) fruits were mixed in 1 L water and kept it for soak. After some time, further add 2 L water to make total 3 L solution. Soniabhai finally sprays the entire 3 L solution in half acre of field crop, which provides 40% insect control.



The pounded 500 g black thorn apple fruits. He then mixes the pounded material in 1 L water and keeps it soaked. After some period, further add 2 L water to make total 3 L solution. Soniabhai finally sprays the entire 3 L solution in half acre of field crop, which provides 40% insect control.



Use of dry fishes for controling of flower drop in lemon crop.



For controlling this problem, chang (Crotalaria burhia) plant is sowed as an intercrop with finger millet crop. He believes that infestation of dodder is not found, when chang crop is sown as intercrop with finger millet crop. He is following organic farming using only farmyard manure and avoiding chemical pesticides. He also earlier tried intercropping Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) crop with finger millet, which gave him partial success in controlling the dodder infestation. Once he tried chang ...



In order to control sucking pest (Aphids spp.) in Indian bean (Dolichos lablab) and other creeping vegetable crops. Soaks 200 gm dried flowers of mahua (Madhuca indica) in 0.5 L water and keeps it overnight. He uses this stock solution for spraying on the crop with the help of a broom or pump in the morning for 2 days. This gives total control of sucking pest (Aphids spp.) in 4 days.



To improve the productivity of any crop species or to get higher yield from the crop plants, pieces of young aerial roots of banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) emerging from the branches are collected and then broadcast in the field any day after the sowing of seeds is done with. Following this practice, increases the yield of the crop and there is no risk of crop failure.



While storing raggy 500 gm leaves of lemon and neem tree are mixed and spread along with the food grain while storing it in a vessel. Thereafter, the vessel is covered with the leaves and keeps the food grain for 2 years in good conditions which are not affected by any insects without any side effect.



Sometime the crop of finger millet turns pale yellow at the time of fruiting. To control it farmers in these parts use roots of asparagus. This is a traditionally followed method. When the farmers observe paleness in the crops, they bring 2 -3 pieces of asparagus roots and plant them which is not more than half feet deep that near the patch of crop where more damage is seen. This controls the spread of paleness to the other parts in the crop. Normally the roots are planted at two or three pl...



Pigeon pea crop is prone to heliothis which bore away its seeds. To control it 100 gm flower and bark of jujube are both finely powdered together. The powder is then dissolved in 1 L water and the solution is sprayed per 0.40 hectare of crop. It is observed that heliothis strike the pigeon pea crop at the same time when there is flowering in jujube at beginning of the winter season hence there is no difficulty in getting the flowers. The flowers are collected by spreading a cloth or plastic ...



300 gm stem-bark of asparagus is crushed to fine powder which is then dissolved in 2 L water. This stock solution is used in measure of 200 g for one spray pump per 0.40 hector of crop. This controls the pest in three days.



Flowers of mahuva and pods of golden shower are used to control premature flower shedding and thereby getting higher yields in finger millet and pigeon pea crops. A solution is made by pounding together 8 -10 pods of golden shower and 500 gm of dry or fresh mahuva flowers and adding water to it. The solution is then filtered and used for spraying on finger millet and pigeon pea crops at the time of flowering. This controls premature flower shedding in these crops and also pest control to som...



Pearl millet crop is sometimes attacked by insects called bristle beetle. These insects eat the ear of the pearl millet and as a result no seeds set in the ears which means less production and loss to the farmer. There are two methods to control these insects. One: when there are a lot of bristle beetle insects in pearl millet crop then incense sticks are used to drive it away. A person stands with lighted incense sticks in the direction of the wind blowing towards the crop. As the insects m...



Leaves of "tendu" (goub persimmon, Diospyros palmata). are used for long term storage of mahuva fruits. A layer of "tendu" leaves is first laid at the base of storage container then 5-6 kg mahuva fruits are placed. In this way layer upon layer of "tendu" and mahuva are laid and the container is finally sealed with the last layer of "tendu" leaves. For storage of (Eleusine coracana) grains a novel way is to store these with gram (Cicer arietinum). This way both the grains remain free of pests...



Ramabhai Gigabhia Kamedia is one such. He uses the juice of leaves of custard apple and vasaka. The compound juice is mixed with water and sprayed. The caterpillars die. At least two to three litres of the compound juice derived from the two plants needs to be sprayed. The effect of this spray is that insects can be controlled. Ramabhai has learnt of this method from his friends afar. Few farmers at Dandana village in Bhavnagar district are aware of the practice. Ramabhai has been using it fo...



As informesd by Lembaji, to control insects molomashi infestation in tomato and Alfa alfa (Medicago sativa) following method of treatment is adopted. Take (Calotropis gigantea) plants, whole with leaves will becomes it fully inmeresed in water thus prepared (Calotropis gigantea) solution be put in a 15 L pump, 100 gm mix and spray on the crop in this proper tim method rest, continus spraying the medicine.



To control the insect pest, leaves of each plant of 20 kg congress grass, 5 kg crown flower plant and 5 kg wind killer plant, 250 gm neem and 200 gm thorn apple are crushed together. This mixture is soaked in water for over night in the 200 L capacity vessel. Thereafter, 7 L of solution with 7 L of water are mixed together and sprayed on the affected crops.Thus, crop is saved of the insect pest problem.



Apply castor oil on the buds of brinjal and this will result brinjal acquiring more colour and it also controls the persishability nature of the same. Because of this application, insects like white ant cannot attach the brinjal crop.



Put 1 kg custard apple tree leaves in 16 L water in a big dasim and boil well till the solution is reducede to 4 L go on boiling and then keep for about three hours for cooking. put 100 gm solution in 10 L water



Take a mixture of kamal, neem leaves, sore buttermilk, whey and water and keep in a vessel for 3-4 days, afterthat it is filtered 3-4 times and spary on cotton and other crop.



Leaves of custard apple and freshly leaves of (Aloe vera) are pounded together to get about 1 kg mixture. The mixture is then heated in 1 L water at low temperature and filtered. The stock solution is mixed in quantity of 100 -150 ml concentrate to 15 L water and is sprayed at 15 day intervals.



There is no chemical ingredients can be sprayed at an internal of 15 days in 1-3 ratio water and 1 kg neem leaves, then add 4 kg crushed (Aloe vera) leaves juice and 100 gms Black coe dunk, 100 gm pearl millet and keep it for a month.



The pests are controlled by mixing 500 gm pounded leaves of custard apple in 500 gm neem oil and 500 gm buttermilk. The concentration is mixed with water in quantity of 200-250 ml per pump and then sprayed. No precaution is required while preparing this pesticide. This indigenous pesticide is sprayed twice, at every 15 day interval, even when chemical insecticide is sprayed once. It does not affect directly but all parts of the cotton plant become bitter and poisonous thus it checks the furth...



To control white ants, Madhavbhai Bhopabhai Solanki directly applies his herbal remedy to the groundnut crop. He sprays the beneficial castor oil cake in the field and its effect against termites remains for one year. A spray of diluted lemon juice will have its effect for a forenight. A spray of kerosene will have its effect for a fortnight. These act directly on termites but need to be applied again and again. These can be supplemented with chemical pesticides for effective termite control.



As informed by famer,while watering with (Medicago sativa) at the entrance of each field, 3 to 4 flower branches of (Calotropis procera) and the effected branches fall down from the plant.



When the cotton crop is infested with sucking pest (aphids), 1 kg of iron sulphate and 100 gram "limbu na phool" (citric acid) are mixed in one vessel to prepare a decoction. About 100 mL of this decoction is diluted in 15 litres of water and this solution is sprayed on one bigha (2/5 of hecatre). The combination acts as a herbal pesticide. The effect of this herbal pesticide remains for three days during which sucking pest (aphids) are eradicated. Samajibhai Gagubhai Ratron controls sucking ...



As a remedy, 8 to 10 bunches of tobacco sticks (Cigars spp.) are drenched in water and squeezed and a decoction is prepared. The smell of this decoction is enough to eradicate sucking pest (Aphids spp.). This experiment was successfully tried out in three bhigas three years ago. After the experiment, mustard crop has not been sowed due to shortage of water in the Maniyari area of Mehsana district for a couple of seasons. This experiment was tried out by Kantilalbhai on the advice of his brot...



For the control of hairy caterpillars in any crop, the leaves of crown flower are placed on the plants infested by the pest. This gives good results. According to a modified method, the leaves of crown flower are boiled in water. This boiled water is then sprayed on the crops. This prevents hairy caterpillars from harming the crops and controls infestation of termite and white grub insects as well. The effect of the herbal cure is immediate.



When the maize crop is affected with hairy caterpillar, then branches of crown flower are collected from a farm or pasture. The leaves of crown flower are then plucked and placed around the field and three feet inside the field and in rows every two feet. This prevents hairy caterpillar from devouring maize. Instead the worm attacks crown flower leaves. Corn and crop are thus saved for the farmer. Fresh leaves are placed when crown flower leaves are eaten away by caterpillar.









For this purpose, 5 kg of neem leaves for each mound of wheat is taken. Then water is poured on the leaves and mashed properly. The mash is squeezed to extract one-and-a-half litre of juice. Then wheat seeds are coated with neem juice. The juice is applied with hand till satisfactory coating is ensured. After coating, the seeds are kept aside for 12 hours. This means that if wheat is to be sown in the morning, the neem coating is applied overnight.



For one mound of gram seed, 3-4 jugs of sour buttermilk is required. Only after the seeds are treated for 3-4 hours in sour buttermilk that they are used for sowing.






Farmers prepare an extract of tobacco leaves and mix it with equal quantities of bajra flour and butter milk.



Newly transplanted finger millet (Eleusive corocana) are mainly affected by stem borers. Infested crop shows symptoms of yellowing and dead heart. The infest plant do not bear penicle, or the penicle may remain empty. Finally affecting the yield. To control these stem borers, 500 gm of fresh water fishes are packed in a air tight container with 4-5 L of water. This container with fishes is placed in a lonely place and allow the fishes to decompose. A typical smell of decomposed fishes will c...



The pounded neem leaves 3 kilograms into fine powder, add turmeric 300 grams, cow urine 5 litres, and cowdung 5 kilograms. Add water 20 liters, mix well, and leave the solution to stand for two days. After filtering this solution through a cloth, dilute in 200 liters of water and spray on the crop. Apart from bringing the insects under control, presence of of cow urine cowdung in the solution prevents many diseases.



Rice horn caterpillar is a serious pest of paddy crop (Oryza sativa), it feeds on leaves and young penicles. This all results in yield loss. To control this insect pest, 500 g seeds and one kilogram leaves of castor (Ricinus communis) are fine grinded and one liter of concentrate extract is prepared from it. About 5 L water is added in this concentrate extract and sprayed on the pest affected crop. The remedy controls about 50 % of pest in paddy crop.



Whenever crops are affected by pests, the stalks become weak and the grains become black in appearance. Even the plant develops a black colour and the yield decreases. To protect the crops from damage, the farmers of the Dangs region extract 2-3 L of juice from the fresh fruits of the mahua (Madhuca indica) tree. They then add four liters of water to it. This concoction is sprayed over the field. On spraying this mixture over a one acre farm leads to about 50% control over the aphid infestati...









Rats eat away the cotton capsules [pods], the stalks, roots, etc. of the crop and create a lot of damage. Nanji Bhagwanbhai Chauhan of  Sosia village, Bhavnagar has adopted a very interesting method to control this epidemic. They put pods of kuvech (Mucuna pruriens) in the rat holes so that when the rats come out they come into contact with it. The minute fibres on the pods create a lot of itching if they fall on some part of the body or if they are touched, so the rat starts running around a...



The epidemics of diamond back moth starts from 25 to 30 days of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata) plantation. The catter pillar proceed from the upper leaves to the inner core of the cabbage. Consequently the market value of cabbage is reduced. Farmers call these worms the "Hagariya" worms because there is an accumulation of lot of excreta outside the hole. For this per 2.4 ha of crop mix, juice of one to one and half kg lime, five litre buttermilk and 20 L water and sprayed on the c...



Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is cultivated in semi-arid areas of Gujarat. However, one of the major limiting factors in its productivity is bacterial blight disease. Disease is favoured by humid and cloudy weather, especially off season raining at flowering stage of the crop. To control this disease, proper care is required at the very critical stage. About one kilogram of sugar is mixed with 5 kg of salt and grinded to powder. The powder thus obtained is dusted on the cumin crop on the cloudy ...



Brilliant gardenia (Gardenia resinifera) is also called as "jangali champo" in the forest area of Dang and Chhota Udaipur. This plant is 3 to 6 ft in height and bears white coloured fragrant flowers in the month of October. Fruit setting starts during the month of December and lasts up to the month of February. Seeds are light green in colour. About 150 to 250 gm brilliant gardenia seeds and 100 gm ocher are crushed and added to 1 L of water. This mixture is smeared on the trunk of mango (Man...



There are a large number of mango orchards in the Valsad district of Gujarat. These are host to a variety of mangoes. Many a times, because of the fruit fly menace, rotting sets in the mango (Mangifera indica) fruits just as they near ripening. To prevent such damage to the crop, the farmers plant shrubs of jungali tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) and krishna tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in the mango orchards.



In Valsad district of Gujarat, to keep disease free lemon (Citrus limon) plant, two inch long rusty nails of iron are placed on the trunk of lemon. Innovator is using this treatment at the interval of three to four years. He believed that by this technique, the lemon plant can be made disease free and more production of fruits can be obtained. Innovator is using this treatment at the interval of three to four years.



Cultivation of cotton and tuvar is done on a large scale in the Valia taluka of Bharuch district. About seven to eight years ago immense epidemic of various pests like green larvae, lashkari larvae, parasites etc was seen in cotton. The farmers used chemicals indiscriminately, still insects were not controlled. How would they get controlled? They grew in the atmosphere of these chemicals so it was like tonic to them. In this situation Ahmedbhai  Kadiwala, Gamalsinh Rana, and other farmers of ...



During the growth phase of rice paddy (Orysa sativa) saplings, deadly stem borers known as "gabmaro" worms start appearing. They cling to the inner wall of the stem and the length could be as much as 30 centimetres. These insects prevent healthy rice spikes emerging out of the stem. The insects are usually green in colour with black spots in their body. Patel learnt of a very effective method from Ambalal Jivabhai, a senior resident of Rasalpur village in Thasra taluka of Gujarat, to contr...






The humidity in the air following the first rains during the monsoon season makes the environment ideal for the breeding of various insects. Several species of insects like the fruit fly, sucking insects, and (Castor semilooper) insects abound and attack fruit crops. These insects damage the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), mango (Mangifera indica), guava (Psidium guajava) as well as other vegetable crops. To control extensive damage to the crop, Shah makes use of powders of tamaku or tobacco (Nico...



Gram (Cicer arientinum) is consumed as vegetable which fetches more price compared to dry grams. Manually harvest needs more time and altimately more cost, so to reduce the cost of separating green pods of gram from plant, iron nails of 3 inches are fitted on the wooden block and the plant with pods is allowed to pass through it. This separates the green pods from the plant. Method is very efficient and a single person can separate about 450-500 kg of green pods a day.This is self developed i...



Farmers of Junagadh district are sowing garlic (Allium sativum) at a distance of 4.5 inches. It is not possible to sow at such a short distance with normal sowing instruments. In the normal sowing instrument, distance between two jaw is 9 inches, so to sow the seed at 4.5 inches, the farmer has to sow first normally and then again sow the seed in between two already sown rows to maintain the distance of 4.5 inches. But in second sowing the bullock pulling the sowing implement may walk on ...



We should be careful before storing the grains in the granary. Due to the grain pests, the quality of grain effected and destroyed. The exiguous holes are observed on the grains by which the grains are not used for the food purpose. Dudabhai Arjanbhai Pandav of Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district uses, traditional method for storage of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains. After harvesting of wheat crop, the chaff is left. This chaff is tightly filled in a room to settle. From the middle portion...



Nut grass (Cyperus rotundus) is a natorious weed, observed all the year round, but is more prominant during monsoon season. It has tubers at the base, which remains dormant in the off season and gets active during monsoon on availibility of moisture. To control this weed in field crops, the shells of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) after picking of cotton from cotton bolls which are spread on nut grass weed infested land. Ploughing is done to mix the cotton shells with the weed infested soil even...



In the crop of bottlegourd new sprout stops developing and this affects the yield if there is continuous rain, poor soil type and similar other factors. Under such circumstances, farmers try out large number of practices to tackle the problem. Shri Dineshbhai Jivabhai of Hatrod village of Sabarkantha District uses buttermilk and castor oil (Ricinus communis) to improve the productivity of bottlegourd. According to the information provided by the farmer use 10 liters two days old buttermilk an...



There is high incidence of heliothis in the crop of tur (Cajanas cajan) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). This pest creates tremendous damage by feeding on the pods and seeds of tur and balls of cotton. In the current year the farmers of Sabarkantha and Kheda have uprooted and destroyed their 3 months old crop due to the heavy infestation by the pest. Shri Laxmanbhai Radadiya of Jetpur village of Rajkot district uses bajara flour to control this pest. According to the information provided by t...



It is very important to select the good seeds to have  higher production. Where farmers are using desi seeds there are many practices prevalent to selection of good quality seeds. For seed using bulb as the seed does production the cultivation of onion. In the North Gujarat the crop of onion grown for the seed production is known as Bhungada. Shri Gemabhai Chavada of Paniwada village of Bhavnagar District uses an interesting technique for the selection of he bulbs for seed production of onion...



There are a number of practices to ripen bananas. Dineshbhai Prajapati from Jeetpura village of Anand taluka uses lime water to ripen bananas. According to him, for 20 to 25 bananas, 50 gm lime should be diluted in three-litre water and the solution should be sprayed over the fruit. The bananas ripen in three to four days. After plucking the banana bunch from the tree, lime spraying should be done in the night. This is done just once. It is a traditional practice.



The infestation of sucking pest (aphids spp.) is seen in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) when the crop is one-and-a-half to three months old. Some farmers call it "sakariya." Sometimes the sucking pest (aphids spp.) cause 70 to 80 percent damage in crops like fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and mustard (Brassica juncea). According to the farmer, when the wind is mild in the morning, green or dried leaves of eucalyptus are burnt in the farm to create smoke. If needed, the practice is repeated after on...



The seeds are coated with cow urine before sowing.



After determining the wind direction, ash is sprinkled over the crop at night. The ash forms a protective layer on the crop. By the time the temperature goes up because of the sun, the ash falls off and the crop is protected from "chhasio".



"Kharsadi" (Euphorbia tirucalli) plant is put in watering grooves within the field.



Growing castor trees for the protection of vegetable crops from the summer winds thus increasing the crop productivity.



Juice is extracted by crushing leaves of Kidamari, flower and leaves of arni. The seeds of Great millet are coated with this juice before sowing them.



The seeds are dipped in the juice of the common wind killer plant (Clerodendrum phlomidis) locally known as arni before sowing.



Ash is sprinkled all over the field before ploughing the land for better yield of cumin crop.



A mud pot filled with pearl millet flour is buried under the ground for a year. A lid full of flour is taken out, filled up in the pump and sprayed over the cotton crop.



Wheat stalk is used as a fertilizer to increase the yield of cotton crop.



Soil is dug along the cotton crop once the cotton grows out of the soil and chicken manure is added to the soil.



For controlling smut disease infection in sorghum, a well dissolved mixture of copper sulphate or blue vitriol in water, and cow's urine, is sprinkled by hand on the affected sorghum plant. The treatment also helps in controlling wilt in gram (Cicer arietimum) crop.



5 L of cow urine is mixed with 20 L of water and splashes this solution on the crop. The distance of the sticks will be 5 feet from the crop as per row.



Leaves of wind killer plant are crushed to extract juice which is sprayed in the seeds of the crop before sowing.



Tea dust is mixed with sour buttermilk and fermented for a couple of days. This mixture when applied on the roots of the saplings protects them from infections and ensure better growth.



Approx. 2 kg powder of castor bean (Ricinus comunis) is added to the soil before planting jamboo (Syzygium cumini) and mango (Mangifera indica).



2 ft long transplants of Indian tree spurge (Euphorbia tirucalli) are planted around mango (Mangifera indica) to protect it from the root affecting diease of sukaro. Due to this method the roots of the mango tree are rendered safe.



Two feet long branches of akda or (Calotropis gigantea) are kept in water tank or water canal leading to the crop. This water protects the crop from khapedi and molomashi.



Leaves of kidamari (Aristolochia bracteata) and neem (Azardirachta indica) are collected and mixed in water. Then the solution is sprinkled over the land. This treatment provides 60% protection from the diseases.



Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves are burnt all around the farm and the resultant smoke protects about 50-60% of the crop.



Ladies finger or (Abelmoscus herbaceum) plants are planted around cotton plants. Most of the green worm gets occupied by the ladies finger and 50% of the main crop is saved.



Rope is used for shaking off the dew and protect the crop.



The amniotic fluid that spills out of the amniotic bladder before the calf slither out of the mother's body is a rich source of nutrients for crop. This fluid is collected and mixed with lemon juice to preserve it for longer period. The fluid is stored in an airtight bottle. About 24 hours before sawing the seeds, the seeds are soaked in this fluid mixed with water. After 24 hours of soaking the seeds are dried in a shaded area. The amniotic fluid treatment method increased the farmer's crop ...



Small stones are mixed along with fertilizers to distribute them evenly. These stones ensures enough ventilation within the soil. This facilitates better water absorption and excessive salt are drained easily. It also makes the soil softer and pods grow easily in greater quantity. The farmers tried this technique in a small area first and noticed excellent result in terms of output.



The crushed (Azardirachta indica) is used after the oil is extracted. The dry crush is soaked in water and sprinkled over the crop to be protected. This traditional remedy shows marked result within a day.



Flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) is buried under the ground for one week. 2-3 kg of this flour is recommended per bigha of land. This traditional method shows marked result within 24 hours.



Approx. 40 to 50 kg of flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) is sprinkled per each bigha or 0.25 acres of land. Then the land is ploughed and cumin (Cummin cyminum) seeds are sown. This method ensures protection from sukaro or chamri and output is greatly increased.



500 gm leaves of arani (Clerodendrum phlomidis) is collected and pounded to take out the extract. The seeds of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) are soaked into the extract and dried in shaded area. The same seeds are then sown to ensure that the crop is protected from grasshoppers.



A vessel is filled with flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) and the lid is closed. This vessel is buried under the mound of farm manure. After 15 days the flour is removed and mixed with seeds to be sown.



Lemon (Citrus limon) juice is mixed with water and sprayed on pest infested cotton crop. Spraying the crop twice a month gives 60% control of sucking pest (Aphids spp.) and white flies in cotton crop.



Seeds are coated with morthuthu or potassium permeganate as protection from angario.



Maize (Zea mays) is planted along with cotton.The insect attack maize and most of the cotton is spared from the diease.



Birthwort (Aristolochia bracteata) plants are pounded to fine paste. 2 L of water is added to the paste and stirred vigourosly. After that this solution is mixed with 15 L of water and sprinkled over the affected crop.



Leaf extract of arani (Clerodendrum phlomidis) and Birthwort (Aristolochia bracteata) plants is used to coat the seeds. These coated seeds grow fast and healthy. They do not get affected by ergot.



Flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) is let to go stale for about 10 days till it tastes bitter. This flour is mixed with ash and sprinkled over the crop of cumin (Cummin cyminum) for protection against powdery mildew.



Ajowan caraway (Trachyspermum ammi) is burnt in four or five places in the farm because the smoke drives away grasshoppers.



Seeds of cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) are rubbed with black soil and planted. These seeds sprout much faster and output is improved.



The seeds of castor are treated with sour buttermilk for 24 hours and then dried in the shade. These treated seeds are then planted in the soil.



Leaves and pods of kuba (Leucas cephalotes) are stored and kept with the grains. These grains do not spoil for one year. They are also safe from termites and other worms.



Red chillies (Capsicum annum) are powdered and kept with the grains for protection against insects.



Farmers form Karnataka use as an effective spray against the attack of pests in crops. They ground together 7 kg each of negundo chaste tree (Vitex negundo), shrubby morning glory (Ipomoea fistulosa) and pongam (Pongamia pinnata) and 4 kg of rooster tree (Calotropis procera). The powder is boiled in 20 L of water for half-an-hour and filtered the next day.The filtrate is then diluted with 100 L of water and used as a pesticide. Ground together 7 kg each of negundo chaste tree (Vitex negundo),...



The farmers inter-sow coriander and garlic plants with chilli seedlings to avoid attack by thrips or woodworms. The coriander plants are plucked regularly, so they do not compete for water or nutrition from soil. Thus this practice does not affect the chilli yield. Inter-sow coriander or garlic plants with chilli seedlings to avoid attack by thrips or woodworms. Then they pluck the coriander plants adjacent to chilli plants and sell as green vegetable, while harvest the coriander grown on the...



Farmers grow black gram and green manure plant kolunchi or Purple tephrosia (Tephrosia purpurea) together at the time of harvesting paddy. Once the paddy is harvested, the seeds germinate. As the black gram seed coat is not hard, it germinates earlier. Purple tephrosia seeds take longer time as their seed coat is very hard. After harvesting black gram, Purple tephrosia becomes the standing crop. Purple tephrosia can withstand drought conditions and animals do not feed on them. Later the purpl...



10 kg of neem (Azadirachta indica), 10 L of cow‟s urine along with one half kg of matti perungayam or waste asafoetida (Serula foetida) and leave them overnight. The solution is diluted with water.



The farmer crushed the leaves of arani and kept the juice for overnight. The next day the farmer coated the jowar seeds with this juice before sowing. Approximately 1.5 kg of arani leaves are needed for 20 kg of jowar seeds. Crush the leaves of Arni or Arani (Clerodendron multiflorum) and keep the juice overnight. The next day coat the jowar seeds with this juice before sowing.



A pit of 6 inch x 6 inch x 3 inch size is made to make a compost. The pit is filled with coir upto a half feet of height. Over this, slurry from a Gober or cow dung gas unit is sprinkled. With every layer of coir, 200 ml of sour curd or buttermilk is added and the pit is filled up. Thereafter the pit is covered with pond or tank silt upto a height of half a feet. After 3 months a good odorous manure will be ready for use. The manure would be ready for use after three months.



When soyabean seeds are sown in saline or alkaline lands, the germination rate is below 30%. The farmers of Tamil Nadu increase the germination rate upto 90% by treating the seeds with the leaf powder of Usil (Albizia amara). Boiled rice water can be used as an adhesive to make the leaf powder, stick to the seed.



He uses large mud-pots, as high as 180 cm or 3 feet, to store paddy grains for long time. These pots are made of clay and paddy straw, and are air tight. Paddy stored inside such pots do not absorb moisture from the air. Use large mud-pots, as high as 180 centimetres (three feet), to store paddy grains for long time. These pots are made of clay and paddy straw, and are airtight



K Kanagasabapathi of the Annamalai agar district in Tamil Nadu uses a very simple method to get rid of termites from the coconut tree. He applies tar on the lower portion of the trunk of the coconut trees, upto a height of 30 cm from the ground level. Alternatively in some places, the coconut garden is flooded with water so that the termites are washed off. So he applies tar on the lower portion of the trunk of the coconut trees, upto a height of 30 cm from the ground level.



Spread the leaves of piludi or Tooth Brush tree (Salvadora persica) at the bottom of a closely knit bamboo basket and fill it with the paddy seeds. Then pour about 10-12 L of water slowly over the basket. Cover it with the leaves of the same tree and put weights on the basket to keep the seeds pressed. If felt necessary, sprinkle a little water over the basket a couple of times. Keep the basket undisturbed for about 24 hours after which sow the seeds in the nursery immediately. Sometimes, the...



Make a mixture of equal quantities of lime and castor cake and sprinkle it between two rows of the crop and cover it with soil. Then irrigate the field immediately, after the treatment. Using this technique and repeating the treatment after eight to 10 days saves the crop altogether.



Kanagasabapathi keeps a plant called kanjananmkorai along with the stored paddy grains. It emanates a pungent smell which drives away the pests. Also he places neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves over stored grains to keep the grains pest-free.



Thavasi Peruma mixes neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and kerosene in equal quantities and sprays on the coconut trees to control the black headed caterpillar and Rhinoceros beetle. Some farmers also put plants of kolunchi or Purple tephrosia (Tephrosia purpurea) in the primordial region of coconut trees to prevent attacks by the Rhinoceros beetle. Alternatively farmers also grow karpooravalli (Coleus armaticus), a medicinal and aromatic plant, in the coconut orchard. They believe that the stron...



Jayaveeran extracts the juice from the leaves of Epinard, dilutes with water and sprays in the chilli fields, two months after planting, for chilli leaf spot and powdery mildew disease. The same extract is sprayed on the fields when Lady's finger pods get discoloured or light yellow or white. Extract the juice from the leaves of Epinard (Prosopis juliflora), dilute with water and spray in the chilli (Capsicum spp.) fields, two months after planting. Spray the same extract on the fields when ...



Thavasinathan Peyodu from the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu control leaf caterpillars in paddy by a specially made application.Thirty days after planting paddy, Peyodu applies powdered neem cake or cakes of punnaika (Calophyllum inophyllum) to control leaf caterpillars in paddy. He uses 10 kg of the cakes for one acre of land.Thirty days after planting paddy, apply powdered neem(Azadirachta indica) cake or cakes of punnaikai (Calophyllum inophyllum).



Samuel from the Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu uses Neem (Azadirachta indica) to control root grubs in brinjal. After grinding the Neem cake, the powdered neem (Azadirachta indica) cake and apply to the field.



R Sundara Raman mixes 5 kg of powdered tobacco leaves with 10 L of cow urine and 5 L of water. This is allowed to ferment for 3-5 days. Then it is filtered and mixed with 80 L of water and sprayed to control all sucking pests.



Patel approximately crushes 500 gm of fruits of (Solanum surattense). along with its seeds and boils it in water. This decoction is enough for treating 20 kg of seeds of groundnut. Nightshade is a thorny plant that spreads on the ground in rainy season. It is generally found on pastures, wasteland and river banks. It bears violet flowers and yellow fruits.



Tender young saplings in kitchen garden need support in the initial stages to grow. Farmers use bamboo strips to support the saplings. Termite attacks are a usual problem in sandy regions. Termite attack bamboo strips first and then damage the young saplings.Amrutbhai Patel of the Mehsana district in Gujarat successfully experimented with oil waste for controlling the termite. Patel brought the waste oil from the oil wells of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) situated near Gram Bharat...



Chaudhary treats the seeds with asafoetida (Serula foetida) solution before sowing. He mixes about 250 gm of powdered asafoetida in 2 L of water. Afterthat this solution is sufficient for 20 kg of groundnut seeds and then the seeds are soaked in that solution for an hour. Thereafter the seeds are then allowed to dry in the sunlight. According to Chaudhary, the treatment prevents the disease and also increases the yield.



Dhirubhai Devrajbhai Kaachhadiya dips about 250-300 gm of Thornapple (Datura metel) leaves along with the stem in 1 L of water and heats it till luke warm. After mix and cooling down the solution,he sprays on the crop. Pests perish within a period of 6-7 hours.



The powder form of 1 kg of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and soak it in 3 L water in an earthen pot for three days. Filter this decoction and add 500 ml of neem (Azadiachta indica) oil. Mix this with soap. Dilute the mixture with water and spray it on the cotton crop. The results of a better flowering and fruit formation and reduced flower dropping, are apparent within a week.



The crop duration is for 90 days and transplanting is done after 21 days. Before transplantation, they apply one bag which is 68 kg of groundnut cake per acre of land as a basal dose in the field. About 22 days after transplantation, weeding is done and 50 kg of neem (Azadirachta indica) cake is applied in the field. Prior to sowing or transplanting paddy, broadcast 25 kg of kolunchi or Purple tephrosia(Tephrosia purpurea) seeds in the field. Forty days after sowing, plough the green manure.



Patel lines a big cane basket with green or dried leaves of khakhra or Bastard teak (Butea monosperma) and it is further lined with leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica). He then places the green mangoes inside and then layers once again with the leaves. After this the basket is left untouched for 7 days. The mangoes get the usual red and golden yellow hue soon after this procedure. People in this area have been following this practice for many years.



To control the pest infestation Gadhvi extracts the juice of 200 gm to 400 gm of the leaves of malabar nut and 400 gm to 500 gm of shrubby morning glory. He then mixes this juice with 15 L of water to make a solution. Gadhvi has been successfully using the technique for more than eight years.



Patel grows the crop of (Echinocloa frumentaceato) decrease the salinity of the soil. The crop sown after sowing of (Echinocloa frumentacea) yields a better output. Patel has been practising this procedure for thirty years and according to him it increases the productivity of the soil. The crop is also an excellent fodder crop. Sow the crop of banti (Echinocloa frumentacea) before sowing any other crop to decrease the salinity of the soil.



Surmaji Ditajee Damor of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat makes a pesticide from the leaves of Oleander (Nerium indicum). He sprays this solution on the maize and cotton crop to control pests. Damor crushes 2 kg of oleander leaves and mixes with 5 L of water. T



The farmers store urad and legumes like chickpea and peas in this way.Thus the seeds can be stored for a longer time. Mix the seeds with ash and then smear with mustard (Brassica juncea) oil.



Arjanbhai D Kodarv of Banaskantha district in Gujarat controls the pests Spotted bollworm and Pink bollworm in cotton by spraying a solution made of mahua or butter tree (Madhuca indica) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) bark. In order to control the infestation Kodarv makes a 500 ml stock solution with equal amounts of mahua or butter tree (Madhuca indica) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica) bark. The solution is filled in a 15 L capacity pump and sprayed on the infected crop. If the attack is s...



During the kharif season Kalabha sows the maize (Zea mays) crop as it is a deep rooted crop in the first year. The following year rice (Oryzae sativa) or black gram (Phaseolus mungo) is sown as they are shallow rooted plants. Castor (Ricinus spp) is sown in the third year because it is a deep rooted plant whereas in the fourth year groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is sown. Sowing groundnut and black gram ensures a good supply of nitrogen to the soil. All the layers of soil are thoroughly mixed as...



R Sundara Raman from Erode district in Tamil Nadu makes use of milk to prevent the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). The spread of the virus is believed to take place during the transplantation stage on the tobacco farm and subsequent field operations. The plants affected by the virus show symptoms of mottled leaves and discoloured inflorescence. In order to prevent the infestation, Raman a solution of 5 L of skimmed milk in 100 L of water.



R Sundararaman soaks 5 kg erukku or giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) leaves in 10 L of cow urine and 5 L of water in a earthen pot and leaves it untouched for 3-5 days. After this period he filters the solution and dilutes in 80 L of water and then sprays on the foliage that is likely to be attacked by caterpillars.



Compost pit is prepared by allowing farm waste to rot in a mud tank. The waste is digested by earthworms. The mixture of cow dung, turmeric and neem is used to coat the floor and sides of the pit. Alternatively in place of neem leaves, the leaves of any other bitter plant can also be used to prepare this mixture.



The termite infested straw cannot be used as fodder for the animals. This problem is solved by cleaning the Khala or the storage place with a shovel and then laying the floor with milk hedge. According to Parmar the typical smell of the milky sap of the milk hedge plant repels the termites. Another farmer uses a slightly different approach to prevent the attack of termites on the standing crop by using the same milk hedge plant. The farmer crushes the milk hedge plant and puts it in the main ...



Semi-looper is a major pest destroying the castor crop. It damages the leaves by cutting across the leaves. Patel spreads 1 kg of puffed sorghums on one bigha or 0.25 acres approximately of land around the boundaries of the field for three days to attract the maximum number of birds.The birds come to feed on the sorghums and while doing so they also eat the semi-loopers.



Katara sprays 1.5 l of the juice of date palm (Phoenix sylvestris) mixed with 15 l of water on the vegetable crop and spray it on the vegetable crop. According to Katara, her father has been following this traditional practice for a long time.



Vasantbhai dries the leaves of corkwort (Leptadenia reticulata) in the sun. Then he fills the grains into a container layered with the sun-dried leaves of meethidodi or corkwort and can be stored for over a year.



Take about 300 g of the leaves and unripe fruits of datura (Datura spp.) and crush them. Afterthat heat the mixture in 1 l of water. After filtration, about 300 ml of the stock solution is mixed in 15 ml of water and use to sprinkle over the crop This solution is enough for one spray pump. About 7-8 pumps of the dilute solution is required to sprinkle one acre field of 3-5 month old cotton crop. Another approach is that ground 1 kg of sugar and 5 kg of salt together and dissolve them in water...



Hawari boils 5 kg of the leaves of Besharam (Ipomeae fistulosa) plant in a container having 50 l water till it reduces to half (i.e 25 l). Later 2.5 kg leaves are added and boiled. Afterthat add 60 g of zinc sulphate and 480 g of soap to the solution and spray. According to him multipurpose uses of the plant increases its potential as a herbal product. The practice is not new but it has tremendous potential in making agriculture safe by avoiding use of chemical pesticides. Another approach is...



Ratilal takes 200 g of Morthuthu or CuSO4, limbunaful or citric acid, Hirakashi or FeSO4 and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) which is used in a big container of hukka and adds five litres of water to it. This mixture is kept undisturbed for 10 days. It is stirred well and filtered through a cotton cloth. Approximately 70-80 ml of the filtrate is added in 10 l of fresh water and sprinkled on the crop for any larval pest. According to Kachhadiya about 70% success is achieved in controlling the larv...



Take equal amount of 1 kg of custard apple (annona squamosa) leaves, turmeric rhizome, peenari change (Clerodendrum inermi), chothukatralai (Aloe vera), nochi (Vitex negundo) and neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel. Grind all the ingredients into a paste by adding sufficient water. By this process,about 5 l of the juice is extracted and dilute with 15 l of water. Administer the herbal extract into the crown region of the tree at the rate of 2 l per palm after the harvest of nuts.



Dissolve jiggery into water 1 kg for 1 acre in 15 l of water and spray it over the field. It will attract the Ants and they will eat larvae of insects.



500 black ants per acre of land required for control of green larvae in ivy gourd (Cocciniaindica). Black ants are most important us they eat only half larvae and then eat another larvae immediately. In this way they destroy completely all the larvae very quickly. This method is used by so many farmers. The method is economical against cost of chemical medicines and there was no side effect on other crop and land. This method has been used generation to generation.



Take 100 g of green sea algae (Ceratophyllum demersum) in 500 ml of water, keep it for overnight and boil it for 45 minutes in the next morning and after colling down the solution is filtered with the clean cloth and afterthat 500 ml of water is added to remnants of algae and then boil it for 45 minutes and again filter it. The filtratered solution is added to 40 l of water and then sprinkles on plant crops. The remnants of algae in powder form are also used as fertilizer. This technique was ...



Dhirubhai brings 2-3 branches of date palm (Phoenix sylvestris), attached with leaves. The effect of this method is seen after one week per 0.25 ha of affected area of crop. This traditional techniqe is in use since last 50 years.



Before plantation of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), take 3 kg fenugreek in vessels and pour half glass of water then add 500 g dried turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder and shake the mixture properly. Finally the treated fenugreek is ready for plantation which will not be spoiled. This practice is used by many peoples as they learnt from their ancestors.



Farmers have been using algae to increase yield in fruit crops, especially in mango (Mangifera indica) and sapota (Achras sapota) traditionally by 30% increased yield. To prepare the solution, 100 g of algae is pulverized to make a fine powder and mixed with 500 ml of water and soaked overnight. The next day this stock solution is heated for 10 minutes in a low flame, and then filtered through a cloth. This final solution is mixed with water and sprayed with a pump.



Bhikubhai Patel has developed a successful method to prevent termite attack on mango. He takes 100 grams of red ochre and mixes it with 150 g powder of grounded seeds of worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) in 1 l of water. The thick solution is then applied to the trunk of mango up to two feet with a broom-like brush. Mango trees remain free of termites for one year. He uses this method every day.



Zinabhai Patel virtually intoxicates insects to control fruit fly attack on mango (Mangifera indica) crop. First, Jinabhai takes 2 l toddy obtained from palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifera), 1 l sugar solution and 5 l of jaggery solution. The jaggery solution is made from 2.5 kg of the sweet material dissolved in water in a container, preferably a drum. Toddy can either be from palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifera) or from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). The three solutions are mixed in the d...



In this method, some pieces of prickly pear (Opuntia dillenii) cactus are placed near and in path of the burrows frequented by rodents. The rats stop visiting burrows as a result. This traditional method is used by many farmers.



Aphids attack different standing crop, vegetable and vines. It damages leaves, flowers and stem of the plant and gets the food gradually by sucking the sap. It remain stuck to the plant, damages the crop and thus plant becomes unproductive. To treat this problem, leaves of swamp cabbage (Ipomoea aquatica) are crushed and appropriate quantity of water is added. This mixture is then sprayed on the affected Indian bean (Dolichos lablab) crop. As a result, the crop is saved from the aphid infesta...



1 kg of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), 500 g of chilli (Capsicum annuum) and 500 g of garlic (Allium sativum) are pounded well or separately and mixed with water. This formulation is then sprayed on the affected groundnut crop. The effect of this spray is observed on the very next day. As a result of the spray, the small sucking pest falls down.



Rodent infestation starts, especially when the crop is at stage of maturity. They destroy the crop by uprooting the plants. To reduce this problem, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plants are intercropped with the main crop. Birds like Falcons are attracted to sunflower (Helianthus annuus), to eat the seeds of sunflower. In a way they also eat the rodents, thus helping the rodent control programme.



Poison bait is prepared to control rodents in field. To prepare this bait, 500 g leaves and inflorescence of worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) plant are crushed. Add 100 g rice grains and 1 kg flour of pearl millet to the crushed material. Mix this material thoroughly and use it as poison bait. Put some quantity of this bait at the opening of the burrows. Rodents eat the bait and get killed.



To prevent insects while storing gram (Cicer arietimum) and green gram (Vigna radiata), at the time of filling the barn, chaste tree (Vitex negundo) leaves are put into the storage area. Apart from this, if the grain is stored for a longer period, worms also infest the grains and damage them. To prevent this, gram and red gram (Cajanus cajan), which is being stored, are coated with cows urine and dried in shade and then stored in the barn. The bottom of the barn is filled with chaste tree see...



To store seeds of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum) for longer period, the ears of gumma (Leucas cephalotes) and chilli are mixed with the grains. Practice is widely used in the area and it is in use for last 40 year. No change has been reported as on today in this practice.



Striga plant grows especially rapidly during the monsoon along with sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) crops. When striga (Striga asiatica) becomes an adult plant, it preys on the fully mature crops of sorghum and pearl millet. This results in the dying of standing grain crops. To avoid the striga problem, seeds of these crop are treated with turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder before sowing. The crop seeds are thus protected against possible preying by striga.



Senna (Cassia angustifolia) is mainly used for the conservation of sandy soils. When sown senna holds the sand particles together. The decomposed roots of senna make a good compost. It can also be used for the improvement of black and muddy soil and for reducing the alkalinity of the soil.



Use one-foot-long smooth iron sheet to reduce the squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) menace in mango (Mangifera indica) crop. At the time of flowering in mango (Mangifera indica), the menace of squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus) increases. It eats up the flowers and reduces the fruit yield. To reduce the damage by squirrels, nail a smooth iron sheet to the stem of the plant. The sheet is placed at least 1-1.5 metre above the ground level. Because of the block, squirrels and other animals can...



To control termites, use powder of oil cake of castor (Ricinus communis), which is spread around the mango tree. The oil cake of castor prevents the infestation of termites and thus mango crop is saved. If the infestation of termites increases in the mango (Mangifera indica) trees, the crop is destroyed.



To protect the crops from the insect-pest and (locust menace), use powder of chilli (Capsicum annuum) as a seed treatment at the time of sowing. The chilli powder increases the resistance in the crop against insect-pests and (locust menace)



Due to the store grain pests, the keeping quality of grain deteriorates. The exiguous holes are observed on the grains by which the grains are not used for the food purpose. The mix the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), husk of gram (Cicer arietinum) and ash are used to protect the food before storing the grains in the granary. The husk of gram is salty in nature and hence controls the deterioration.



Rodents burrow deep holes along the bunds in of the fields and cause extensive damage to various crops. They scrape at the roots of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), bore holes in the stems and gobble up fresh bolls of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and munch away ripe grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Patel uses pancakes prepared from stale pearl millet or groundnut flour and crushed spikes of bracteates birthwort (Aristolochia bracteata) to fight the menace. He places pieces of the pancakes nea...



After transplantation to the field from seedling pan, it is commonly observed that a number of chilli (Capsicum annuum) saplings develop wrinkles in their leaves. This disease is more pronounced in the winter crop, particularly in the months of January and February. The disease first affects the leaves and then the branches of the plant, which become badly curled. When this happens, either the plant wilts away or fails to produce the usual number of fruits. Sakhia who resides in a farmhouse h...



One should be careful before storing the grains in the granary. Due to the stored pest, the keeping quality of grain deteriorates. The exiguous holes are observed on the grains by which the grains are not used for the food purpose. To prevent the infestation before storing the grains in the granary, use extract of worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) and wind killer (Clerodendrum phlomidis), which is sprinkled on the empty container before placing the grains in the container. The 250 ml extra...



A basket is made from the stalk of cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum) and Indian elm (Holarrhenaantidysenterica). The Indian elm is placed at the bottom of basket before placing the onion by which, the process of turning is not advocated. The onion (Allium cepa) bulbs are then placed into the basket for storage. The onions can be stored for the period of one year. The onion is saved from the rotting. It is a traditional practice.



To prevent the wheat crop from the pest infestation and to store the grains for longer duration, use straws of wheat (Triticuma estivum), which is mixed with the grains of wheat. By using this treatment, the wheat grains can be stored for at least one year. Use four to five straws of wheat for one granary. It is a traditional practice.



The marine algae is dried out firstly and then the marine algae are soaked in water for overnight. In the next day, the marine algae is decanted and then strained. Afterthat the decanted algae is mixed with the water using the pump in bottle and then sprayed on the brinjal (Solanum melongena) crop. It is a traditional practice.The marine algae are found only in the sea. Due to less availability of marine algae, the urine of cow or ash can sprayed on the crop also.The infected stem of brinjal ...



The fenugreek powder is mixed into the cold water, stir well and allow to stand for 12 to 14 hours. After filtration of the solution, neem leaves are added thoroughly into the boiling water. Filter the solution and pour some neem oil over it to completely cover the surface. Mix the two filtrated solutions together and add lime solution into it. Then heat the mixture for 1 hour and cool it. Spraying the solution, diluted to the required strength with water, gets rid of the invading worms in co...



100 g of asafoetida (Ferula foetida) and 25 g of black cumin (Nigella sativa) are taken and mixed properly in a powder form. Afterthat 10 l of water is added into the powder. The final the solution can be sprinkled on the groundnut crop. As a result, the fungus does not occur in the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) crop. There is no side effect of this solution and it is used from 40-45 years.



Surface grass hoppers feeds on the leaves and tender parts of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) crop. Heavy attack of these insect pest leads to economic losses of the crop. Rainy season favors the multiplication of this pest. For the control of this pest, caster (Ricinus communis) cake is grinded and dusted in the affected pearl millet crop.



If cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum) seeds are planted with their hairy surface intact, they take two days longer to sprout. So, the farmer mixes 200 g termite hill clay, 100 g ash and one kilogram of cotton seeds. He adds water to this mixture and coats the cotton seeds to be planted with it. He lets this seeds dry and then sows them carefully. According to the farmer, this ensures faster germination of the seeds. After his father, Dharamsinhbhai has been using this method for 12 years now.Mix 200 ...



To cure this problem, 100 g leaves of eachgumma (Leucas cephalotes) and worm killer (Aristolochia bracteata) plant are mixed together and spread uniformly in the granary for protection.



Crops like chilli (Capsicum annuum), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), red gram (Cajanus cajan) and vegetables, the control of dryness and wrinkling can be achieved by sprinkling 200 g "banjar bhang" mixed with one bucket of the urine of cow at the time of flowering of the plants.



In order to control pests and disease in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop, Shatibhai Patel of Surendranagar districts of Gujarat sows dillseed (Anethum graveolens) along side the cotton crop. According to Shantibhai, pests do not frequent the cotton crop due to the strong smell of the dillseed plants. This not only ensures better cotton crop but saves money spent on pesticides and gives added economic advantage of selling the dill seeds.



In order to arrrest the premature shedding of of flowers in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop, Sureshbhai Patel of Surat district, Gujarat, sprays a mixture of cow and goat milk on the cotton plants as soon as the flowering sets in. This helps in arresting the premature flower shedding and increases the yield of cotton crop.



In order to improve the saline soil, Pamabhai Parmar of Surendranagar district of Gujarat uses the discarded cotton bolls that remain after cotton lint is removed. He mixes the bolls with cowdung manure and puts this mixture in the field as organic fertilizer. Pamabhai believes that cotton bolls absorb the salinity of soil and the improves its fertility. He also informs that feeding the discarded cotton bolls to cow increases milk yield.



For the purpose, he puts the powdered leaves of toothbrush tree in the space between the furrows of the sowed brinjal (Solanum melongena), chili (Capsicum annuum) and other crops. This makes the plants healthy and gives them protection against invading insects. For paddy (Oryza sativa), pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and other major crops, he mixes the leaf-powder with the dung-manure or organic compost before sowing.



Lucerne (Medicago sativa) infested with aphid becomes sticky, creates problem during harvesting. Yield is reduced. To control aphid in Lucerne (Medicago sativa), ash is sprinkled on the infested crop. At the time of irrigation, caster (Ricinius communis) oil is taken in the container with the hole at its base to drench the oil in the field. This container with caster (Ricinius communis) oil is hanged over the irrigation channel and oil is allowed to flow drop by drop with the irrigation water...



Premature flower-shedding is observed in vegetable crops in the monsoon and winter which results in decreased fruiting, hence low yield and economic loss to the farmers. To avoid this, farmer Mohanbhai Lalabhai Zhala, of Kalesar village in Kheda district, mixes 100 g asafoetida (Ferula foetida) powder and 2 kg pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) flour and keeps the mixture, bound in a cloth, in the irrigation channel while watering. Mohanbhai learnt of this traditional practice from his foref...



To minimize bollworm infestation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop, the corn (Zea mays) grain is scattered and spread in the furrows of the cotton field. The birds like sparrows and pigeons come to eat corn grains, and get attracted to the bollworms in the cotton field. These birds smell the presence of bollworms, get attracted and the bollworms are destroyed.



In the particular method, Mohanbhai boils 5 kg of tender upper shoots of caper plant (Capparis decidua) in 7 L water. He then allows the decoction to cool, discards the shoots, and mixes 1 L of stock solution to 15 L water in a pump and sprays it on the crop. Mohanbhai is using this method in brinjal (Solanum melongena) and chili (Capsicum annuum) crops for over a decade. Mohanbhai now helps the other farmers of his village in preparing this remedy. Among them Kantibhai Zhala, Shakrabhai Zha...



The flour of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) is kept inside the dunghill for twenty days and then taken out and mixed with water. Take 1 kg neem (Azadirchta indica) seeds, pound them and prepare a juice Add 10 to 15 dead worms paste and add the same to the neem (Azadirchta indica) seed and pound the mixture to prepare a juice. Whenever there is a need of spraying medicine, use this to spray. Fill the pump up to half its capacity with water and add 100 ml of neem juice. Then add one cup or...



Spraying a mixture of 150 g lemon (Citrus limon) juice and 150 g tamarind (Tamarindus indica) leaf extract to 15 l water filled in one spray pump. After successful experimentation, he modified the method by mixing, in addition of the two ingredients already mentioned, 200 g solution out of the decoction of 250 g tobacco (Nicotina tobaccum) powder and 150 g water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) leaves boiled in 5 l water. This showed improved result. Thus the farmer now uses lemon juice, tamarind l...



For softening cotton (Gossypium herbaccum), cut aloe vera plant (Aloe barbadensis) into pieces. Collect the jelly coming out of it. Mix 300 g jelly with 10 l water, stir it well and store the mixture in earthen pot for 20 days. Filter this mixture and use it as a stock solution. Mix 200 g of this stock solution in a pump full of water, stir it and spray it on the cotton crop. The practice is found to give positive results in brinjal and pigeon pea crops successfully.



Coating the wheat seeds with 25 g ginger juice mixed in water per 0.25 ha of land before sowing. Proving successful, he later modified the method. He collected 250-300 ml juice of onion and ginger mixture without water in tin and allowed drops of the juice to fall from a small hole into the irrigation channel.Chimanbhai Ambalal Patel of the same village in Kheda district also followed the method with success.



Farmers of Amdalli village in the Karwartaluka of Karnataka make use of camphor to store groundnut pods and pulses. With the help of camphor, groundnut pods are stored for a period of 6-7 month. The method consists of filling properly dried groundnut pods in polythene lined gunny bags to a height of 30 cm. Approximately 8-10 pieces of camphor are placed on this before filling it further. Likewise, the entire bag is filled up and then its mouth is tied tightly. The bags are kept in moisture fr...



The farmers of Bavikeri village in the Ankolataluka of Karnataka have devised a simple manner to keep away pests from paddy. They burn heaps of paddy husk in the field at night. The pests get attracted towards light and die by falling into the fire. Alternatively (Sphaeranthus indicus) plant is also used as a repellent to stop pests in paddy. The leaves of the plant are spread in the fields. The peculiar smell of this plant has the property of repel insects like leaf rollers and hoppers. The ...



Farmer Bhikhabhai Sonabhai of Gujarat gives protection to such trees. In early May, he first digs out all soil immediately around the tree till the roots are exposed. He then mixes 1 kg each of "aankol" (Alangium salvifolium) fruit rinds and stem bark of mahua (Madhuca indica) fascicles and spreads the mixture on all the sides. Initially, he spades in the soil again to cover the exposed roots. It has been the experience of Bhikhabhai that the tree so treated bears good and quality fruits. "Aa...



Farmers from Racihur village in Karnataka have developed an interesting protective measure to save sugarcane against termites. They burn dry dung and other crop residuals in the furrows opened for planting sugarcane cuttings before planting the crop as a protective measure against termites and other soil inhabiting pests in sugarcane. Detail Burn dry dung and other crop residues in the furrows opened for planting sugarcane cuttings before planting the crop.



Boil 5 kg of aloe vera plant's (Aloe barbadensis) fleshy leaves in 5 L water. After cooling, the stock solution is mixed in proportion of 500 g to 10 L plain water and sprayed in the quantity of 15 L per tree.This stops flower and fruit shedding in guava crop.



Deveshijibhai Thakor of Kathi village, Mehsana district, has come up with an interesting practice to control this weed using dry stalks of the cumin (Cuminum cyminum) plant. According to him, in summer the dry cumin (Cuminum cyminum) stalks used to spread over the field. In the monsoons, the rain water gets absorbed in the stalks before filtering down to the soil. The water filtering through the cumin stalks prevents the germination and growth of the Dharo or Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) w...



Kodarsinh Parmar from the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat makes use of the green as well as dry leaves of nilgiri or blue gum tree (Eucalyptus globulus) together in a heap and burn it in the early hours of morning, at about eight o clock, when the wind velocity is not high. If needed this procedure can be repeated after a week.



Premature flower and fruit shedding in guava crop results in low yield which means heavy loss to orchard owner or farmer. At such times, the farmers in these parts boil 5 kg aloe vera plant's (Aloe barbadensis) fleshy leaves in 5 L water. When cooled, the stock solution is mixed in proportion of 500 g to 10 L plain water and sprayed in the quantity of 15 l per tree. This stops flower and fruit shedding in guava crop.



Muljibhai Patel of Kapadvanjtaluka of Kheda district has tried planting saplings of milk hedge plant (Euphorbia tirucalli) along with fruit trees in the orchards. The roots of milk hedge plant help in warding off soil pests while the thorny, leafless branches of the plant keep away stray cattle from feeding on the fruit tree saplings.



The fruits of vegetable crops like pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) turn yellow prematurely. Their outward look is just like ripe fruits. This reduces the yield. Then there is also the problem of aphid and larvae attack on these crops. To overcome both the problems, the farmer with intuitive sense has developed an indigenous medicine by boiling 1 kg each of "Aankol" (Alangium salvifolium) leaves, neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves and tobacco (Nicotian...



Mansukhlal Shambhubhai Pethan from the Dhorajitaluka of the Rajkot district in Gujarat uses a unique method to increase productivity of lemon crops. He dissolves 100 ml of lemon juice in 2 L of water and sprays his lemon trees with this solution in such a way that all leaves become wet. This has resulted in greater productivity of lemons according to him. He has not observed any negative effects of this practice.



Gram (Cicer arietinum) crop fails, if pod borer larvae are not controlled. For control of this pest, 5 kg leaves of Indian beech (Pongamia pinnata) are pounded in the mortar and 10 L water is added to it. The mixture is kept soaked for 24 hour and then squeezed and filtered through a cloth. This solution, if sprayed in the proportion of 2 L in 15 L of water, gives good results. This is a traditional method.



Beligere Krishnasastry of Challakeretaluka in Karnataka uses cactus to prevent blight diseases in crops. He grinds the seeds and pieces of dried cactus into a fine powder. Then he puts this powder over coal fire and passes the fumes over the paddy field, affected by the baterial blight disease. This treatment also prevents many types of diseases affecting paddy or ragi.



2 to 3 fruits of yellow oleander (Thevetia nevifolia), 500 g fruits of neem (Azadirachta indica), 1 to 2 fruits of thorm apple (Datura metel) and 100 g leaves of custard apple (Annona squamosa) are crushed in 1 L of water and then kept for three months. As a remedy, 250 ml of mixture is filled in a pump and sprayed on the heliothis infested gram (Cicer arietinum) crop two times at the interval of 15 days. Thus, the crop is saved of the problem. This treatment provides 80-90% crop protection o...



Aphids attack the standing crop, vegetable plants and vines. It damages leaves, flowers and stem of the plant and gets the food gradually by sucking the sap. It remain stuck to the plant, damages the crop and thus plant becomes unproductive. As informed by farmer, 4 kg of tinospora (Tinospora cordifolia) is boiled in 8 L of water. It is boiled till half of mixture remains in the container. Thereafter, this mixture is strained and 15 ml is filled in 15 L capacity pump. This mixture is sprayed ...



B S Dinesh from the Shimoga district of Karnataka soaks about 1 kg of the leaves of Mukkudaka (Lasiosophon eriocephalus) in 10 L of boiling water and keeps it overnight. Then he filters the solution and dilutes by adding about 100 L of water. The mixture is ready for spraying. While spraying, some people may develop allergic reactions including swelling of the face of water.



Purshottambhai Sojitra of Amreli district, Gujarat has developed an effective pesticide using the locally available material for pest control in field crops. For the purpose, he collects 5 kg desert plum (Balanites roxburghii) fruits, 2 kg pungent chilly (Capsicum annuum) powder, 2 kg tobacco 5 kg desert plum (Balanites roxburghii) fruits, 2 kg pungent chilly (Capsicum annuum) powder, 2 kg tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves, 500 g asafoetida (Ferula foetida) powder, 2 kg crushed garlic (Alliu...



Termite is the common problem in wheat (Triticum aestivium) crop cultivated under light soils. The termite infested wheat plant gets withered and uprooted, ultimately affecting the yield of crop. To prevent the termite infestation in wheat crop, seeds of wheat are treated with the leaf extract of wind killer plant before sowing. About, 500 g leaves of wind killer (Clerodendrum phlomidis) plant are crushed with 200 ml water to get an extract. This extract is sufficient for treating 20 kg seeds...



Pulses like green gram (Vigna radiata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) etc. gets putrified if not stored properly. To prevent this loss, leaves of spearmint (Mentha spicata) are used. About 500 g spearmint leaves are dried in shade and ground to powder. This much amount of powder is mixed with 20 kg pulse while storage. The treatment helps the storage of pulses for more than a year in a good condition, without putrification.This is a traditional method.



Yellowing of leaf in cotton may be the symptom of water deficiency, nutrient deficiency, and disease symptom or due to insect damage. Here the leaves of plant go yellow and shrivel, the plant looks sick. To cure this problem, 200 g leaves of "gaandi vel" (Cissus rapanda) are boiled in 1 L of water and then filtered. About 1 L of this filtrate obtained is then added to 200 ml coconut water (Cocos nucifera) and is poured in spray pump and sprayed on the affected crop. This solves the problem of...



For the control of caterpillar infestation and sparrow menace in tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) crop, 1 kg snuff (Nicotina tabacum), 500 g aloe (Aloe barbadensis) leaves, 500 g water spinach (Ipomea aquatica) leaves, and 25 L cow’s urine are mixed well and filtered through a cloth. For controlling the pests, 500 g of this solution is filled in a pump and sprayed on tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) crop. This method controls caterpillar infestation and also discourages the sparrows.



When worms come to infest the brinjal (Solanum melongena) crop, Ajitsingh Gohil takes 100 gram "ratu suvaaliya" seed and 300 g leaves of the same plant. He puts the leaves out to dry, enough to burn. The seeds are then pounded and a fine powder of the seeds is made and kept aside. A small fire is made of the leaves. As smoke emanates, the powder of the seeds is put in the fire, pinch by pinch, along with dill powder. The brinjal crop is exposed to the smoke. It should be ensured that each of ...



Vaghabhai Chabra does the spadework and times his crop to increase groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) crop output. His method depends merely on the elements and not much additional inputs are required. He simply pours five bullock-cart loads of wet sand per bigha of the crop land. After doing the spadework, furrows are made in the length and breadth of the acreage where groundnut seeds are to be sown. All this work is done on the verge of the monsoon. Once the monsoon breaks out the furrows are fil...



To control aphids or talkidi in the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop, Vaghabhai Chavda merely uses onion (Allium cepa) juice. He uses water as the medium to make the juice seep into the soil where the insects lie in wait as part of their life cycle. Vaghabhai takes 10 kg onions per acre. These are crushed and the juice is let into water at the source of water supply for the crop. As water enters the field it carries onion juice as well. Since onion juice is put at the source of water to the c...



When fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) crop is affected with powdery mildew disease, the colour of fennel plant changes to brown and it becomes dry. In this situation, farmer uses coarse powder of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides). According to the information given by innovator, after sowing the seeds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), coarse powder of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) is placed between two furrows. Thereafter, the soil is ploughed and then watered or irrigated. This process help...



Jasmatbhai Meghjibhai Surani, a farmer from Bhimdad village of Gadhada taluka of Bhavnagar district uses sour buttermilk. According to the farmer, fox is doing harm in crops like peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), maize (Zea mays) and vegetables. To solve this problem, round shaped vessel full of buttermilk are kept at different places in the field. So by doing this, foxes went away as it produces bad smell. If quantity of buttermilk gets reduced in vessel, it is ag...



Pethabhai Patel of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, says that some farmers in his district grow rows of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) or sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) along the boundary of the field where a crop is sown to avoid infestation by the hairy catterpillar. Pethabhai Patel of Kamboi village of Banaskantha, Gujarat, says that some farmers in his district grow two to three rows of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) or sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) along the entire periph...



Bhikhabhai Makwana of Prempura village of Visava Dar of Junagarh, Gujarat, has used his keen sense of observation to suggest an innovative way to keep ungulates, such as deer and blue bull, away from agricultural fields. Ungulates cause a lot of damage to crops. They are natural prey for lions and use their sharp sense of smell as survival instincts. They always desist from straying into the areas which are frequented by lions. The smell of of the excrement of lions deters them. Realising thi...



Dalpatsingh Ghitabava Sangrol of Tuna village in Valiya taluka of Bharuch district in Gujarat uses a decoction of Morthuthu (CuSO4) and dried leaves of tobacco as insecticide for pigeonpea (Cajanus indicus) crop. About 500 g of dried leaves of tobacco is boiled in around 5-7 L of water till the quantity is reduced to half. Approximately 15-25 g of Morthuthu (CuSO4) is mixed in the filtered decoction and used as an insecticide. About 30-50 ml of the content is mixed in 12-15 L of water and spr...



Dahyabhai Puroshottamdas Patel from Sabarkantha district in Gujarat sprays kerosene on the cumin (Cuminum cyminum) crop to prevent it from being affected by blight. Blight is called charmI in local language. Generally, blight in cumin occurs at the flowering or grain setting stage. The grain becomes black and a black powder is seen on the ear head. Farmers believe that the chances of occurrence of disease are high if there is frost and also loudy weather. If any preventive measures are not ta...



Ants relish the seeds of cucumber and bean. Their presence in the field results in the poor germination of the seeds of cucumber and bean. Dips the seeds in kerosene prior to sowing. This technique ensures that the ants keep away from them and allow them to germinate properly



Prabhakar and Senapathi Gowda from Sagar district in Karnataka soak seeds of watermelon in kumkum or vermilion water or milk to enhance germination. Gowda soaks watermelon seeds in vermilion water or milk for a day before sowing. This helps the seeds to germinate faster and grow into healthy plants.



Tackle the wilting problem in gram and lentil by treating the seeds of these crops with hing or asafoetida (Serula foetida) in the ratio of 1 g of hing per kg of seed, or mustard oil at the ratio of 100 g mustard oil per 40 kg of seeds, before sowing. To prevent wilting in pulses, 40 kg of pulse seeds are soaked in 5 L of buttermilk for 24 hours before sowing. These measures prevent wilting problems in the crops.



The pesticide developed from natural herbs like ginger, garlic, tobacco, neem oil without the use of chemicals, would help fighting various insects like aphids, bollworms, etc. at lower price. Detail: Cotton is the main crop of Vidharba region. Other crops include pigeon pea, jowar and vegetables. In 1992, Uplenchwar began to be concerned about the rising prices and decreasing productivity of modern agricultural inputs, in particular chemical pesticides. He felt that farmers needed a low cost...



This creates a large amount of empty shells of castor pods which, like any other farm litter, wouldbbe seen as nothing but waste. Jethabhai and Punjabhai Kamariya of Shakrana village have developed an organic manure, using these waste shells of castor pods in combination with the leaves of mango trees and castor plants, cow dung, and other farm waste. A pit is dug at the bottom of which the mango and castor leaves, and other farm waste, are thinly layered. Above this layer, about two cart-loa...



Babubhai Shivabhai Patel of Galiyadanti village in the Malpur taluka of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat sows two lines of maize after every four lines of groundnut in the Kharif season to conserve the moisture in the soil. Maize is harvested earlier since it matures early. The furrows made after harvesting maize are used to collect the rainwater. It is sprinkled on the adjoining four lines of the groundnut. Farmers also assume that this practice facilitates the harvesting of the groundnut. Ha...



Patel and some other farmers of his village, were among those who began cultivating okra or Lady's finger or bhindainstead of cotton. Lady's finger is an all season crop but farmers prefer to grow it in the pre-monsoon (May) and pre-winter (September) periods. Most lady's finger growing farmers sow the crop more or less at the same time which leads to a market glut and causes the price to fall sharply. Lady's finger , unlike cotton, cannot be stored to be sold later when better prices can be ...



Hasmukhbhai Manilal Patel belongs to the Sandhi village in the Padra taluka of Vadodara district of Gujarat makes use of old leather or hides of dead animals to control an unknown disease in chilli plant. Patel soaks around 1-2 kg of old leather or hides of dead animals in about 10 L of water for 24-36 hour. Thereafter, he filters the water is and sprinkles over the chilli plants. Spraying this water helps to control the viral disease in chilli plant which is characterised by withering of le...



Shankarbhai Lallubhai Vasava of the Kagdipura village in the Vaghodiya taluka of Baroda district in Gujarat reduces the infestation of Kasiya or bajra beetle in the crop of bajra or sorghum using a spray made from country wine or kerosene. This controls the pest and the crop is saved.



Machar Babudiben uses goat milk to stop the curling of leaves in vegetables and plants of spices. Machar Babudiben the Dahod district in Gujarat uses goat milk to stop the curling of leaves in vegetables and the plants of spices. Certain vegetables, like chilli (Capsicum annuum), brinjal (Solanum melongena), and spices, like black pepper (Piper nigrum), are subject to fruit and flower abscission and leaf curling. The phenomenon is observed during the months of November and December, as the di...



Manilal Vastabhai Patel of the Baroliya village in the Dharampura taluka of Valsad district in Gujarat broadcasts the seedlings of nagli or finger millet (Eleusine coracana) crop on well puddled kyari (a small portion of land). Broadcasted seedlings establish in the soil easily.



1 kg of condensed milk is kept airtight in the container for 10 days. Thereafter, it is mixed with 2 L of buttermilk. The mixture is mixed properly and strained with the help of strainer. In fifteen liters of water, 200 ml of mixture is added and sprayed on the affected crop. It is a self developed practice.



10 g green roots of carrot weed (parthenium hysterophorus), which is soaked in 50 L of water. The mixture is strained with the help of strainer. Then It is filled in the pump and sprayed on the affected cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) crop. The treatment controls the aphid infestation.



1 kg leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), 250 g chilli (Capsicum annum), 200 gm garlic (Allium sativum) and mixed with 2 L water. Boil the solution till 1 L is evaporated and spray the mixture when cool mixing 50 ml with 1 L water on crop attacked by caterpillar. Farmer developed this method himself.



10 g green roots of carrot weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), which is soaked in 50 L of water. The mixture is strained with the help of strainer. Then It is filled in the pump and sprayed on the affected cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and groundnut (Rachis hypogea) crop. The treatment controls the aphid infestation.



Take 250 g leaves, seeds and branch of thorn apple (Datura metel) are crushed and boiled in 1 L of water. The mixture is boiled till half of the extract remains in the container. In 15 L of water, 50 g extract is filled in the pump. This practice is learnt from father.



1 kg of condensed milk is kept airtight in the container for 10 days. Thereafter, it is mixed with 2 L of buttermilk. The mixture is mixed properly and strained with the help of strainer. In fifteen liters of water, 200 ml of mixture is added and sprayed on the affected crop. It is a self developed practice.



8 kg leaves each of neem (Azadirachta indica ) and custard apple (Annona squamosa) are mixed with 100 L of water for 4 days. On the 5th day, the mixture is stirred and strained properly. This mixture is sprayed on the affected cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) crop. Thus, the crop is saved from the heliothis infestation. This practice has been in use for last 2-3 years.



2.5 kg leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), 500 g of green chilli (Capsicum annuum) and 500 g of garlic (Allium sativum) are crushed together. In this paste, 10 L of water is added and boiled the mixture. This mixture is boiled till half of the extract remains in the container. After cooling, 50 ml of this mixture is filled in 15 L pump and sprayed on the affected cotton (Gossypium hirusutm) crop for 7-8 days.



Use of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) oil-cake for increasing fodder yield of lucern (Medicago sativa) crop.



In cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), chilli (Capsicum annum), brinjal (Solanum melongena) and Indian bean (Dolichos lablab) crops, Purshottam Sojitra of Amreli districts, Gujarat, prepares an innovative pesticide by mixing 1 kg pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) flour, 2 kg tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) powder, 2 kg chilli (Capsicum annum) powder, 1 kg crushed garlic (Allium sativum) cloves, 700 gm crushed ginger (Zingiber officinalis) tubers, 500 gm asafoetida (Ferula foetida) powder, 500 g neem (...



Virabhai Ayar of Surendranagar district in Gujarat obtains good yield from his groundnut crop (Arachis hypogaea) by coating the seeds with Indian spurgetree (Euphorbia neriifolia) milk prior to sowing. He says that the method ensures better yield of pods per plant.



For control of aphid and heliothis in cotton crop, 100 g black cumin (Vernonia anthelmintica), 100 gm seed of neem (Azadirachta indica), 250 g of garlic (Allium sativum), 100 g kadvu kariyatu and 100 gm marrejavo (Enicostemma littorale) are mixed together. Add 2 L of water to the mixture and boil it. Boil till the mixture remains half in volume. Filter the decoction through a clean cloth. Store the filtrate in a tin and close it. Whenever necessary, take 100 g of this solution in spray pump a...



Pest like fox attacks the matured crop of ground nut (Arachis hypogea) and damages the crop. To keep check on this menace, pieces of leather are kept in pots and the pots are placed at the corners of field to prevent the attack of fox. Use the pots having narrow mouth. Place four such pots daily night at four corners of field and one at the center of field. The practice prevented the crop from fox attack without keeping any security for it. This is traditional method practiced for last 100 ye...



Maganbhai Jethabhai Patel of Siyod village in the Navsari taluka of Valsad district in Gujarat has developed a practice for early ripening of bananas. He keeps freshly harvested bananas in hot water for a short time and then bunches of the same are arranged closely to each other in a room. After this the room is fumigated. This practice helps early ripening of the banana.



When the crop of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is attacked by the pest, 1 kg leaves of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus hybrid) are boiled in 2 L of water. The decoction is prepared and about 250 g of decoction is mixed with 15 L of water in spray pump and sprayed over the crop of fennel



Navasubhai Jivabhai Jadav of Kandha village in the Vasanda taluka in Valsad district of Gujarat knit a container from paddy straw in which seeds or grains can be preserved for a longer time without spoiling. Jadav knits the container from paddy straw which is locally known as pete container. First of all, Jadav trims the top of the straws to an identical length and then they are soaked in water overnight. The water soaked straw is knitted around the bottom of a selected container. Thereafter ...



In this practice oil cake of ground nut (Arachis hypogea) is mixed with the seeds during sowing and spreaded throughout the field. This is suppose to destroy the pest in the field. Thus the crop is protected from pest. this is self developed practice. This practice is adopted by 30-40% of villagers.



Dansinghbhai Mehrambhai Bharvad from the Alindra village in the Mendarada taluka in Junagadh district in Gujarat places freshly cut branches of Akada or giant milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) in irrigation channels to control aphid infestation in lucerne (Medicago sativa). Giant milkweeds, white and violet flowers, are commonly found in uncultivated lands and its latex irritates the skin.



With his guidance Dhirubhai Nayak, of Valsad district of Gujarat, had stopped using chemical pesticides and fertilizers and, instead, began using sea weed, which is available from Okha port, Gujarat, between December and April. Approximately 100 gm sea weed is soaked in 500 ml of water for 12 hours. It is then boiled at low temperature for 45 minutes. The resultant decoction is allowed to cool, and then filtered. About 40 L of water is added to the filtrate and sprayed on the crop. This helps...



In this practice, the seedlings of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) are soaked into salt solution before sowing in the field. This will bring the empty seeds on top of solution which could be easily removed and no empty seeds are used in sowing which gives even sowing and ultimately good yield of the crop.



Narsinhbhai Rajabhai Rabari from the Alindra village in the Mendarada taluka in Junagadh district in Gujarat controls the attack of white grub in coconut using a solution of jaggery. The white grub bores into coconut trunks and reduces the quality of the nuts. Severely infected trees die. Rabari prepares a concentrated solution of jaggery and pours in and around the grub holes to attract ants. Ants are natural predators and so reduce the population of white grub. The farmers of Saurastra repo...



Chilli (Capsicum annum) powder is mixed with the seeds of grains and pulses to avoid detoriation of seeds. About 500 g to one kilogram of powder of chilli (Capsicum annum) is sufficient to store 20 kg seeds of grains or pulses.



Farmers from Karnataka prepare a pesticide from garlic, kerosene and green chilli to control heliothis and caterpillar from attacking crops. They crush 1 kg of garlic and soak it overnight in 200 ml of kerosene. The next morning, 2 kg of green chilli are ground and added to this mixture. The solution is sprayed on the crop by adding 200 L of water to the mixture for controlling heliothis and caterpillar pests.



Hairy catter pillar is the polyphagous pest. It feeds on number of crops. The catter pillar eats the leaves and tender parts of the crop plant. The pest is traditionally controlled by the decoction made from pigeaon pea. take the 1 kg beans of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and boiled in to 5 L of water, then filter the decoction and use it as a stock solution. Decoction is prepared by above mentioned practice and thereafter, appropriate amount of seeds are taken. These seeds are washed by decoct...



Karmhanbhai Karamshibhai Desai from the Malupur village in the Tharad taluka in Banaskantha district in Gujarat makes use of milk to avoid the rust disease in the wheat crop. Desai immerses the seeds of wheat in milk before sowing. Due to this process the rust disease in the crop is avoided.



Sri Ayyavu from the Anna taluka of Tamil Nadu uses the twigs and leaves of nochi (Vitex negundo), ponavaram (Cassia auriculata), kolunchi or kaaval (Tephrosia purpurea), (Ipomoea fistulosa), veppalai (Wrightia tinctoria), and (Calotropis spp.) are as green manure for the wetland paddy crop. Farmers have learnt that, if the leaves of (Wrightia tinctoria) and (Calotropis spp.) are used in excess, a disease called vemputtai occurs leading to failure of the crop to bear grains. This is caused due...



To control the attack of caterpillars and other insects on crop, 2 kg crushed leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica); 2 kg crushed leaves of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and 4 L sour buttermilk are mixed together to form a stock-solution. This stock-solution is further mixed with 15 L water to make a spray-solution. The insects are controlled by this spray in three days. All the farmers of the village are using this method.



Devjibhai Sangrambhai Joghajiya from the Piyava village of the Chotila taluka of the Surendranagar district in Gujarat uses an innovative method to control Powdery Mildew disease in cumin (Cuminum cyminum). Joghajiya prepares a mixture from 10 days old flour of bajra and ash in the proportion of 1:4. This mixture is dusted on the cumin crop before flowering to avoid the infection.



Ramjatan Srisuvalal Chaudhari from the Jaipur district in Rajasthan uses the leaves of calotropis and tobacco to improve the quality of the tobacco during curing. Chaudhari makes small bundles of harvested tobacco leaves and keeps them in logs for about 10 to15 days to improve its quality. He layers bundles of tobacco on calotropis twigs spread on the ground. Again, calotropis twigs are kept and tobacco leaves are spread over it. Farmers are of the opinion that this system of making alternati...



Take 20 kg of gone-bad pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) flour, which might have been infested with worms due to poor storage. Add 1-2 kg of jaggery, which may be spoilt or good. Mix well and make dough by adding water. Place the dough in a waterproof bag, tie the mouth and bury it in a heap of cow dung. Afeter a month, the flour are fermented into a heady poison. Afterthat filter and store in glass bottles. Then dilute the poisonous liquor with water. Spraying over the infected areas will...



Farmers in Gujarat grow cumin (Cuminum cyminum) in roadside fields to take advantage of dust that settles on the crop. They believe dust absorbs moisture and makes the crop less vulnerable to diseases. The crop is grown on sloping lands also for the same reason.



Keep the seeds of bottle-gourd in water for 24 hours before sowing. Arjanbhai Bhimjibhai Gangadia from the Zinzuda village of the Chotila taluka of the Surendranagar district in Gujarat makes use of water to enhance germination of bottle-gourd. He keeps the seeds of bottle-gourd in water for 24 hours before sowing.



The gum of Indian olibanum (Boswellia serrata) plant to prevent malformations in chilli and mango. Farmers in Gujarat prevent malformations resulting from viral or other reasons in chilli and mango through the method of fumigation. They fumigate chilli and mango by using gugal, the gum of Indian olibanum (Boswellia serrata) plant.



Dust ash on the soil at the time of sowing of any tuber crops like onion, garlic, sweet potato, carrot etc. Lakshmanbhai Khimjibhai Patel lives in the Bharad village of the Dhangadra taluka of the Surendranagar district in Gujarat makes use of ash to improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil.The soil is expected to become soft which helps in the development of tubers. This practice also facilitates the harvesting of tuber crop.



Development of drought resistance in the plants of cereals and pulses with the use of cattle urine and powder of sweetflag (Acorus calamus) The farmers in some villages adjoining Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu practice a method of treating seeds of cereals and pulses to develop drought resistance in the plants. Before sowing, the seeds of cereals and pulses are immersed in water mixed with cattle urine and powder of sweetflag (Acorus calamus). The seeds which float on the surface are thrown ...



Muljibhai Ratnabhai Patel from the Bharad village of the Dhangadra taluka of the Surendranagar district in Gujarat uses castor (Ricinus communis) to control termite infestation in fields. Patel grows castor crop in the field having severe problem of termites. The termite infestation is believed to decrease drastically in the next year. He believes that the roots of castor plant have the ability to kill the termites.



Flat bean is a pulse crop. The seeds of flat bean are dibbled underneath Moringa trees. The growing vine is made to pass through a hole made about one foot, above the ground level, in the moringa tree. Thereafter the hole is plugged with cow dung and kerosene mixture. Due to this the flat bean yields well. This is practice is also followed in other surroundings regions. Dibble the seeds of avarai or Flat bean (Dolichos lablab) underneath Moringa trees. Make the growing vine to pass through a ...



Muljibhai Ratnabhai Patel from in the Bharad village of the Dhangadra taluka of the Surendranagar district in Gujarat uses whey to protect plants from the attack of insects. He soaks the seeds of castor (Ricinus communis) in whey for a night before sowing. Farmers believe that this practice gives resistance to the plant against attack by any insect pest.



S K Pradhan from Uttar Pradesh uses ash to protect the fruit of cucurbits from insects. The first fruit of cucurbits is used for seed purpose. At the seedling stage, the top of the vine may be attacked by insects. To minimize the damage Pradhan broadcasts ash on the crop in the early morning. Broadcast ash on the fruit of cucurbits, early in the morning.



Smear the seeds of gram with kerosene oil before sowing Samratbhai Lakhabhai Savadiya from the Enjar village in the Halvad taluka in Surendranagar district in Gujarat controls Murchhai as local name of wilt disease of gram with the help of Kerosene.This disease is locally known as Murchhai. Savadiya smears seeds of gram with kerosene oil before sowing, to avoid Murchhai. Farmers believe that this also helps in germination of the seeds.



A method to protect the wheat crop against pests. Many farmers of Jaipur district in Rajasthan report that carrot plants prevent the infestation of nematodes in wheat crops. In this simple method, the farmers broadcast seeds of carrot along with wheat seeds. The carrot plants are removed during the first and second weeding when the wheat crop becomes established. Broadcast seeds of carrot along with wheat seeds. Remove the carrot plants during the first and second weeding when the wheat crop ...



Hirabhai Kanjibhai Salwara of the Gunjpur village in the Muli taluka in Surendranagar district in Gujarat makes use of arithas or soap nut tree (Sapindus emarginatus) to control nursery bed pests like white grub, termites and others. Salwara soaks 1.5 kg of soap nut tree in 1 L of water overnight. He then crushes the softened nuts, filters the pulp through a cotton cloth strainer and then pours the filtrate on the soil.



For the treatment, 10 pieces each of 7 inches of Thhevri plant are taken. These pieces are planted around the farm in which the brown rot disease is prevalent caused by (Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae). While planting, castor (Ricinus communis) is also crushed and with that smoke is given. This treatment effectively controls brown rot disease in paddy (Oryza sativa) crop. This practice has been in use from last 10 years. This is traditional practice.



Farmers from Tamil Nadu use salt to store straw for prolonged storage. They arrange dry Sorghum and maize straw in a stock. While stacking the hay, sprinkle common salt over every layer of straw as it is arranged. Arrange dry Sorghum and maize straw in a stock. While stacking the hay, sprinkle common salt over every layer of straw as it is arranged.



Collect the residue of tobacco after harvesting. Incorporate this waste material of tobacco into the soil to control termite. Mansukh V Rojara lives in the Dandava village in the Muli taluka in Surendranagar district in Gujarat uses tobacco residue to control termite attack on soil. Rojara collects the residue of tobacco after harvesting. He incorporates this waste material of tobacco into the soil to control termite.



People of the Kalasar village in the Surendranagar district of Gujarat use the kubo (Leucas urticaefolia) plant to preserve seeds. They add the earheads of kubo (Leucas urticaefolia) plant in any seed intended for long term preservation.



Mustard crops are sown as winter crops on a large scale in Rajasthan. The area under this crop has grown very rapidly in the last few years. If ants are observed going out of their burrows during noon time, or soon after, it indicates the best time for sowing mustard seeds in the field. Since mustard plant is a very heat sensitive crop, it is normally sown in the first fortnight of the month of October, just at the beginning of winter. According to farmers, the presence of ants out in the ope...



Farmers from the Kalasar village in the Surendranagar district in Gujarat mix dry chilli powder in the seeds for their safe preservation.



For this medicine take 5 kg leaves of datura (Datura metel), 2.5 kg leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), prepare mixture after crushing and add about 3 L water to boil. After mixture is cool spray on the crop of cotton. The larvae and other insects will also die. While sprinkling the mixture take care of mixture that it does not spread on hands. Use facemask and stockings for protecting the hands and face. It is essential to take precautions as medicine develops skinbiles on human body.



A method to store vegetables for a long time is in use in Thimpu district of Bhutan. Farmers dig a pit in the ground, which they warm by burning twigs in it. The size of the pit depends on the quantity of the surplus green vegetables and raddish to be stored. The raddish is then smashed and alternate layers of the raddish and green vegetables are filled in the pit. All voids are filled up by pouring warm water, and the vegetables are compressed by stamping with the feet. When the pit is full,...



Chaturbhai Parajiya from the Kharva village in Surendranagar district in Gujarat makes use of bengal gram (Cicer arietinum) pods to keep away storage pests from pulses and cereals. Parajiya mixes the empty shells of the pods of bengal gram with the seeds of any cereal and pulse crop at the time of storage. The empty shells being salty in taste are supposed to keep away all the storage pests.



Ajivanbhai Solanki of Gujarat uses Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and matsyagandha to control aphids in crops. Ajivanbhai Solanki collects the leaves of jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and 500 g of matsyagandha each, and boils the leaves in 15 L of water till half the water evaporates. After cooling, the solution is filtered and sprinkled on crops. Aphids on crops is controlled.



A time-tested method for the storage of pulse grains for protection against grain pests, is in practice in Kheda district of Gujarat. In this practice, farmers put the grains in earthen containers and cover the grains with layers of fine sand and wood ash for protection from the grain pests and hence proves its success and advantage as a natural remedy where artificial pesticides are rendered needless.



Dodder is a root parasite, which absorbs nutrients and water from the roots of lucerne crop. This results in yield loss. To control this weed, before sowing of lucerne (Medicago sativa) crop approximately, 3-4 kg of flour of gram (Cicer arientium) is dusted in 0.24 ha of dodder affected soil. Dust the flour once or twice before sowing the lucerne crop. It produces good results. This is a traditional method.



Soak cotton seeds in water a night before the sowing operation. Treat these soaked seeds by the soil which is collected from the termite burrow. Some cotton growing farmers immerse the seeds in kerosene oil before sowing. Farmers from the Kalasar village in the Surendranagar taluka in the Surendranagar district in Gujarat treat water soaked cotton seeds by the soil collected from the termite burrow for better germination. They soak cotton seeds in water a night before the sowing operation. Th...



Farmers in Kheda district of Gujarat have devised a simple method of collecting seeds of the brinjal (Solanum melongena), in which seeds are separated from the fruit with the help of a mesh. In this technique, the farmers cut the brinjal fruit vertically into a few pieces and soak it in water for a few days. They then separate the seed from the fruit by straining the soaked brinjals through a mesh. In this method, seed collection of brinjal fruits is made easy by soaking the fruits in water f...



In Kapadwanj, Dehgam and Thasara talukas of Kheda district in Gujarat, where the rich sandy loam soil is irrigated, farmers use a seed mixture to conserve soil. In this method, a mixture of seeds of kodra or kodomillet (Paspalum scorbiculatum), nagli or finger millet (Eleusine coracana), and bhindi or brown Indianhemp (Hibiscus cannabinus) are broadcast on the bunds for soil conservaton. Broadcast a mixture of seeds of kodra or kodomillet (Paspalum scorbiculatum), nagli or finger millet (Eleu...



Stem borer is a dangerous pest of mango orchards. The grubs enter the stem of the plant and feed inside. This makes the stem hollow, and the xylem tissues are broken down, which stops the water and nutrient uptake of the plant. The plant finally dies leaving behind the dry branches. Sow dust coming out of the stem is the typical symptom of stem borer attack. To control this pest, pure ghee or purified butter is applied at the hole made by the grub on the stem of the affected mango tree. The g...



A simple method to increase the fragrance of the leaves of the karuvepilai(Murraya koenigii) tree. Farmers of Tamil Nadu have devised a simple method to increase the fragrance of the leaves of the karuvepilai tree. They pour about one and a half litres of buttermilk made from cow's milk at the foot of a fully matured karuvepilai tree, also known as kadi patta(Murraya koenigii). This increases the fragrance of the leaves of the tree several fold. This is done once a week or whenever there is e...



Sam Daniel of the Kodiyur village in the Kollankaduvetty taluka of district Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu describes a technique to increase productivity in sweet potato crops. In low lying areas sweet potatoes are raised on soil mounds one metre high. Three sweet potato plants are raised on each mound. A mixture of 2 kg of green leaves of vijar or Siris tree (Albizia lebbeck) plant and 0.5 kg of donkey dung is put inside the mound. This results in an increase in the size of tubers. Prepare a mixt...



Generally withering of fruits and flowers is found in vegetables crops. Pastille stick is burned to create smoke or fumes, which control the disease. Pastille fumigation is carried out at two to three spots in the farm, which stops withering of fruits and flowers. This is a traditional method widely used among the farmers of this area.



Treat the seeds of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) by the sulphur suspension. Prepare the suspension in the cow's urine instead of water. Farmers from the Kalasar village in the Surendranagar taluka in the Surendranagar district in Gujarat treat seeds of the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) by the sulphur suspension to protect the crop against the smut disease. Seeds of the sorghum are treated by the sulphur suspension. The suspension is prepared in the cow's urine instead of water.



Grow coriander in small beds. Grow the seeds of the sorghum around the beds before coriander to produce favourable micro-climate. Samantbhai Dharamshibhai Dholakiya of the Zinzuda village in the Surendranagar taluka in Surendranagar district in Gujarat grows sorghum around the beds of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) to produce favourable micro-climate for coriander. The price of green coriander increases during the summer season. Farmers prefer to grow coriander in summer but find it difficult...



Velumudaliar from the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu has devised an innovative method to prevent boars from attacking orchards. Farmers who have their gardens near forests face the problem of marauding boars which cause extensive damage to their mango and guava trees during the night. Boars are able to feed on mango and guava fruits from grafted varieties due to the fact that these trees are not upright but grow in abundance, side-ways touching the ground. In order to avoid the damage cau...



Dig deep drainage channels around the salt affected fields, so that the rain water drains the field in to these channels. Sometimes deep sub-channels are also prepared in the field according to its slope. These sub-channels deliver the collected water into main channel which is finally drained out. Farmers prefer to grow gram and cumin crops in the salt affected fields, but if soil is highly affected Ganda baval (Prosopis sps) is grown to reclaim it.Ramabhai Keshabhai Jadav from the Kheda dis...



Various indigenous methods are applied to control rats in any crops if the oppression of rats is out of control; fused light bulb is crushed to fine powder. This powder is then mixed with groundnut smeared with vegetable oil. The bait thus prepared is then placed near the burrow of rat. Rats eat the bait and the intestinal track gets injured and starts bleeding. Within few days the rat dies and thus rats are controlled, and crops are saved.



Velumudaliar from the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu has devised an innovative method to prevent boars from attacking orchards. Farmers who have their gardens near forests face the problem of marauding boars which cause extensive damage to their mango and guava trees during the night. Boars are able to feed on mango and guava fruits from grafted varieties due to the fact that these trees are not upright but grow in abundance, side-ways touching the ground. In order to avoid the damage cau...



Rodent is a creature that gives trouble throughout the year. Especially it destroys the crop, even though medicines are sprayed in the field, when the crops are ready to be harvested. Thirty to forty percent destruction is caused by rodents in cotton and groundnut crops. After sowing the crops in the field, the sunflower crops could be sowed in the intervening spaces between the main crops. When the sunflower (Helianthus annus) blooms, the carnivorous birds and animals sit on it to catch the ...



Incorporate common salt in the soil for controlling wilt disease in the pigeonpea crop. Alternatively plant the branches of Sinara and Phanas or Jack fruit (Artocarpus hetrophyllus) in paddy fields for eight days to do the same. Shabbirhusain U Shaikh of the Balasinor Gujarat makes use of common salt to control the wilt disease in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). Shaikh incorporates common salt in the soil for controlling wilt disease, which is locally known as Sukara, in the pigeonpea crop. Altern...



Heliothis (Heliothis armigera) pest attacks cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop at the time of floweing. It bites the leaves and thereby inhibits the growth of the plant. Juvansinh Rathwa of Vadodara district, Gujarat takes 3 kg neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves per 0.25 ha and boils it in 5 L water till only about 1 to 1.5 L remains in the vessel. He then adds tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) powder and 2 L cow urine in the neem decoction and stirs all the ingredients for half- an-hour till there is ...



Vasantbhai Rathwa of Vadodara district, Gujarat makes large earther pots suitable for storing grains and seeds for longer periods. He first soaks the clay with cow urine and decoction of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves boiled in water. After 3-4 hour the soaked clay is kneaded by feet, adding neem leaves. He then moulds different sections with hand and gives it the shape of the pot. Finally, the pot is given the coat of cow dung. Pots made in this manner are suitable to store grains and seed...



Aphids are observed more abundantly in the wintry weather of December to January. The small insects draw sap from plants and make it die prematurely. To control the aphids in crop of radish (Raphanus sativus), 500 g waste of ripe cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and 250 g powder of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves are mixed together and boiled in 1 L water. After the decoction has cooled, it is filtered and 10 L water is added. Finally, the solution is stirred and filled in pumps and sprayed. The r...



There is high demand for sour buttermilk in Bairapur town of Karnataka. Farmers soak sunflower seeds in sour buttermilk ovrenight and dry, prior to sowing. It is believed that sour buttermilk helps to increase the growth of the plant and the size of sunflowers. The larger the size of the flowers is, the greater will be the harvest of seeds per plant.



Leaves of young gram plants are devoured by green caterpillars of <i>Heliothis armigera<i>, which later bore into pods and cause wholesale damage to the crop. The damage is particularly severe in winter. An inexpensive mixture made from the leaves of the common wind killer plant "arni" (<i>Clerodendrum phlomidios</i>) locally known as <i>arni<i> and leaves of custard apple (<i>Annona squamosa</i>) is being traditionally used in Bharuch...



Farmers from Karnataka treat seeds with kerosene to protect them from ants. Ants relish cucumber and bean seeds leading to poor germination. Thus to avoid these losses, farmers dip the seeds in kerosene and then sow them.



Attack by caterpillar and aphids on different crop like cotton, rice and cabbage, etc., can be controlled by a spraying solution prepared in the following way: One kg debris of fruit of neem (Azadirachta indica), 200 g crushed leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum), and 200 g powder of turmeric (Curcuma longa) are all soaked in 10 litre water and kept undisturbed for 10 days. The solution is filtered and used as stock solution. For the spraying solution, one liter of the stock solution is mix...



Nanjibhai Chhanabhai Rathod from the Kheda district in Gujarat prepares a pesticide from lime and whey milk to control infestation of larval pest in cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Cabbage is grown as a vegetable crop in the irrigated areas of Central Gujarat. Infestation of larval insect pest is noticed by seeing black coloured dirty excreta near the stem of plant and leaf canopy. It affects the crop growth and production. This pest eats leaves and makes a sieve like structure. Rathod dissolves...



Chitri disease (Head smut) appears at the starts of panicles formation in kodo millet crop. White spots develop on the leaves and the panicles become soft and whitish. To control this disease, sow dill (Anethum graveolens) seeds along with the regular sowing of kodo millet (Paspalum scoebiculatum) crop. Both the seeds are mixed together and then sown. 5 kg of kodo millet seeds are mixed with 2 kg of dill seeds for sowing area of 0.24 ha of land.



Seeds of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) to establish saplings of mitho limdo or curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii). BhikhubhaiBayal from the Lakhapadar village in the Amreli district of Gujarat uses a traditionnal but innovative method while transplanting saplings of mitho limdo or curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) for its successful establishment. Leaves of the plant curry leaf tree are used as additive in cooking. Bayal sows a few seeds of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) around ...



Prepare a mixture of sugar and ghee (clarified butter oil) and pour in the holes to attract ants. Ants are natural predators. Alternatively the larvae holes can also be cemented so that the insect suffocates inside or the larvae can be pulled out using a wire loop. Jadiben Bhagwanbhai Patel of the Nava Nesda village in the Deesa taluka in Banaskantha district in Gujarat controls the beetle larvae in mango with a mixture of sugar and ghee (clarified butter oil). Farmers cultivating mango use a...



Store grains and seeds alternating with sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) stalks in pits giving no room for spoilage.



Dr Mulchand Haria from the Kutch district of Gujarat defends termites and believes that the insect should not be controlled as it does not damage the plant. In his 40 years of life Haria has never seen termites damaging the roots of green living plants. So he can't understand why farmers try so hard to control the insect.It is true that termites do attack plants whose roots are affected by some disease or by rotting. However, rather than harming the plant they prove beneficial by nullifying t...



Plant the basil (Ocimum santum) plant throughout the mango orchard. Popatji Thonaji Thakor of the Una Nesda village in the Deesa taluka in Banaskantha district in Gujarat plants basil (Ocimum santum) to deter the appearance of a fruitfly in the mango fruit. Mango is vulnerable to a fruitfly, locally known as Falmakhi that injures the fruit and causes premature drop. The infested fruits are disposed of by burial. Thakor plants the basil (Ocimum santum) plant throughout the mango orchard to det...



About 250 gm dry chilli (Capsicum annum), dry grasses and dry leaves are filled in a pitcher to start a fire and smoke. The open mouth of the pitcher should be such that smoke could be directed into a rat- hole. Seal all rat holes except for one. By adopting this practice some rats will die due to suffocation and the remaining will run away through the open hole.



Dilute 200 g jaggery in the juice of one coconut (Cocos nucifera) and fill it in a pump and spray. This treatment stops dropping of flowers in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica). One-kilogram jaggery is required for spraying 0.24 hectares. Due to this spray honeybee infestation is increased, which nullifies insect pests. Besides it induces fruit-setting. This practice is used for two times on a plant. In another practice to prevent root rot in papaya (Carica papaya), ocher and lime paste ar...



Prepare a concentrated solution of 500 g of sugar in one litre of water and allow it to ferment. Place the fermented solution in open dishes at different locations between the rows of cotton. Add one or two drops of edible oil to the dish. Sarajbhai Sindha of the Saraj village in the Jambusar taluka in Bharuch district in Gujarat attracts insect pests of cotton through a sugar solution and edible oil to eliminate them. Sindha prepares a concentrated solution of 500 g of sugar in one litre of ...



Collect the leaves of Dhumas (Combretum ovalifolium) from degraded lands of common lands. Dhumas (Combretum ovalifolium) is a shrub which can be founded extensively on farm boundary and waste land in his area. About five to seven persons stand in a row and keep leaves of this plants in individual bags on their back. They start moving from one side of the field to the other in the direction of wind. On the way, they catch one to two Sunga [blister beetles] and crush these with two to three lea...



Sorting of high quality seeds to be sown through an interesting method.Farmers from Karnataka have developed a very interesting method to sort out high quality seeds to be sown for a good crop. They sort the seeds by throwing them from a height of six to seven feet in a circular fashion. This is similar to a fisherman casting his net. Heavier and harder seeds collect at the rim of the circle. These are the high quality seeds and are sown. The rest are either consumed or sold.Throw the seeds f...



The extract of the bark of the Kavlusaraka(Careyaarborea) tree to prevent the drying up of the paddy crop.Hulya, a forest dweller belonging to the siddi community believes that the occurance of disease in paddy crop is higher when chemical fertizers are used in cultivation. The bark of the tree, Kavlusaraka(Careyaarborea) prevents the drying up of the paddy crop.Tribals spread about two kilogrammes of bark of Kavlusaraka at the head of the distributory canal. The bark gets well soaked with th...



Gananpathi Bhat from Karnataka uses a very simple method for early germination of seeds. According to him seeds should be covered with a soil cover equal to the thickness of the seeds being sown. This helps in early germination.Cover the seeds with a soil cover equal to the thickness of the seeds being sown.



Repelling storage pest from grains with neem(Azadirachta indica) and pepper (Piper nigrum).ParshuramSiddi from Karnataka controls storage pest attack in grains by using neem(Azadirachta indica) and pepper (Piper nigrum). He mixes the dried leaves of neem and dried pepper stalk, got after extracting pepper, with rice and other grains to repel storage pests.Mix the dried leaves of neem(Azadirachta indica) and dried pepper (Piper nigrum) stalk, got after extracting pepper, with rice and other gr...



Incorporate empty castor pods in saline soil for reclamation. Arjunbhai Popatbhai Bharadiya of the Bhadla village in the Botad taluka in Bhavnagar district in Gujarat incorporates castor pods in saline soil for reclamation. Bharadiya takes the empty castor pods and incorporates them into saline soil as part of reclamation. A noticeable improvement results within one or two years.



A method to ensure heavy flowering and fruiting in the mahua or moa tree (Madhuca indica) tree.In Khardia village of Jhadol Tehsil of Udaipur district, Rooplal Bhil, a young farmer, makes a light girdling (notch like groove) around the stem of mahua or moa tree (Madhuca indica) tree for heavy flowering and fruiting in the tree. The notch is made below breast height by an axe and is one to three centimetres deep. The first notch is made during first flowering season of the tree. During subsequ...



Soak seeds of various varieties of beans in milk for a day and then plant them. T S Hegde of the Hitalahalli district in Karnataka uses milk to pre-treat seeds so that they yield more. Hegde soaks seeds of various varieties of beans in milk for a day and then plants them. Thus the resultant plants are healthy and the yield is good.



The farmers of Cholanahalli of Kadurtaluka in Karnataka have formulated a remedy to overcome black lice infestation in plants. They powder the raw cashew (Anacardiumoccidentale) seed and dry it. Then they pour heated coal into a metal pot and over it put the powdered cashew seeds. They hold this pot near the plants infested with black lice so that the fumes emanating from the pot spread over the plant. This destroys the black lice. Powder raw cashew (Anacardiumoccidentale) seed and dry it. Th...



An effective insecticide for areca from kasaraka or Poison nut (Strychnosnuxvomica) and coconut water .PurushottamaRao from the Hassan district of Karnataka prepares a special and effective insecticide from kasaraka or Poison nut (Strychnosnuxvomica) and coconut water. He mixes the paste prepared out of Poison nut fruits and tender coconut water in equal proportions and uses it as insecticide on areca nut and other crops. Amorphophalus bubblier are also grown in areca plantation to prevent vi...



Burn some dry cow dung cakes in the field before sowing of ragi or finger millet (Eleusine coracana) seeds. G D Lambhur of the Chipageri district in Karnataka has a unique method to make ragi or finger millet (Eleusine coracana) plants disease resistant and help them grow better.According to Lambhur if before sowing of finger millet seeds some dry cow dung cakes are burnt in the field and it rains thereafter, the finger millet plants become disease resistant and grow much faster.



Removing the chidho(Cyperusrotendus) weed with the help of cotton nutshells. Cyperusrotendus is a noxious weed. It grows in patches in black soils and sandy loam soils. It is locally called as chhaya in Saurashtra and chidho in middle Gujarat. It grows in patches in the field. Its roots go deep into the soil. Roots bear a gall like structure called nut sedge. It is very difficult to remove this weed by interculturing. It regenerates when it is cut at the stem above the ground. Jayantibhai Pra...



Sprinkle cow urine on the fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) crop. Keshavsinh P Parmar from the Vaghas village in the Kapadvanj Vanj taluka in Kheda district in Gujarat makes use of cows urine to control aphid infestation in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) crop. Parmar sprinkles cow urine on the fennel crop to minimize the aphid infestation.



Buttermilk to control the Muralai disease in tobacco. V R Iyyappan from the Reddiyapattii village of the Thadikombu district in Tamil Nadu makes a filtrate from buttermilk to control the Muralai disease of tobacco. Muralai is a disease of the tobacco characterized by the curling of leaves downward as well as a simultaneous yellowish discoloration. Iyyappan controls the disease by preparing a filtrate made from one litre of fermented butter milk for every 20 litres of water. The filtrate is th...



Broadcast the roasted seeds of maize or sorghum, locally known as Dhaani on the field. Approximately five kilogrammes of Dhaani is used. Mahobatsinh Sitaji Rathod from the Kurija village in the Harij taluka in Mehsana district in Gujarat uses the roasted seeds of maize or sorghum to control the damage by the caterpillar Lunkani on the castor crop. The hairy caterpillar (Amsacta sp), locally known as Lunka, causes severe damage to the castor crop during the monsoon season. Rathod broadcasts ro...



Mixture of cow dung, Calotropis plants, neem(Azadirachta indica) cake and human urine to enhance resistance to insect attack and diseases in plants. V R Iyyappan from the Reddiyapattii village of the Thadikombu district in Tamil Nadu uses a special mixture to increase resistance to insect attack and diseases in plants. Iyyappan digs a pit of a convenient size near an irrigation well or channel. He fills the pit with cow dung, Calotropis plants and neem(Azadirachta indica) cake. He also adds h...






Maganbhai Hirabhai Patel from the Nadan village in the Kadi taluka in Mehsana district in Gujarat controls the viral disease [leaf curl/Kokadava] in vegetables with the use of a decoction made from neem (Azadirachta indica) tree or tobacco leaves. Patel prepares a decoction by boiling the bark of neem or tobacco leaves. He filters the decoction and sprays it on the vegetable crops. leaf curl is a viral disease, spread by its vector Bemisia tabaci. Patel also continues to spray cow and human u...



A practical, easy and quick way to determine the onset of monsoon practiced by the people of Choryana Muvada village in Gujarat. The aerial root of the banyan tree serves as a practical moisture indicator during the monsoon. In this practice, when the tip of the aerial root is snipped off, if several drops of water flow out, it indicates the likelihood of good showers in the very near future, probably within a couple of days. Given the hygroscopic nature of aerial roots one can expect them to...



A time-tested indicator of the nature of a monsoon season by the farmers of Gujarat.The farmers of Choryana Muvada village of Gujarat observe the blooming pattern of Cacti to understand the arrival, nature and duration of the monsoon season. They report that the year in which cactus flowers bloom in bunches, farmers may expect good rains as well as an extra month of monsoon rains. Farmers maintain that this is a time-tested indicator and hence vouch for its reliability.



To kick out red insects from the paddy crop, Mohanbhai Zala uses tannery water. The tanner in fact uses leaves and branches of ankda(Calotropis procere) and aval(Cassia montana) for buffing /tanning leather. The tanner puts the herbal solution in a tank for his own use. The same solution is required to rid the paddy crop of red insects. This leather-treated tank water is taken and sprayed on the paddy crop at the rate of seven to eight litres per acre. The spraying has to be done only once on...



Spread the leaves and twigs of Mahuda or butter tree (Madhuca indica) on the field and burn them. plough the field and irrigate before sowing. Alternatively, the leaves of Khakhra or Bastard teak (Butea monosperma) can also be used along with butter tree. Manilal Sartanbhai Damor from the Rena village in the Shahera taluka in Panchmahal district in Gujarat burns the leaves and twigs of Mahuda or butter tree (Madhuca indica) in the field to make it fertile for the turmeric and ginger crop. Tur...



Lalbhai Dhirbhai from the Sambhali village in the Shahera taluka in Panchmahal district in Gujarat makes use of the juice of neem (Azadiracta indica) to treat seeds of sorghum to keep away stray cattle. Extract the juice of neem leaves for treating the seeds of sorghum. It is believed that plants from the treated seeds are not eaten by the animals.



For long time storage purpose, two kg of castor (Ricinus communis) is applied in 10 kg of sorghum. This protects sorghum from insects or worms. This practice is used for many years and found to be 90% effective and successful.



Farmers use an inter-cropping technique to avoid excess thermo conditions in paddy, due to use of green manure, and enhance water retention capacity of soil.For the wetland paddy crop, the twigs and leaves of nochi(Vitexnegundo), ponavaram(Cassia auriculata), kolunchi or kaaval(Tephrosiapurpurea), (Ipomoea fistulosa), veppalai(Wrightiatinctoria), and Calotropis are used as green manure. Farmers have learnt that, if the leaves of (Wrightiatinctoria) and Calotropis are used in excess, a disease...



Take about five kilogrammes each of the leaves of ardus or Malbarnut (Adhatoda vasica) and twigs of karanj or Indian beach (Pongamia pinnata) and crush them in a stone or wood mortar to obtain the juice. Mix the juice with 10 litres of water and filter the solution thrice through a cloth. Dilute the solution further with one to five litres of water and spray on the crop. About eight to 10 litres of this solution are required for an acre. Three early morning applications in a week provide sati...



About 500 gram of garlic(Allium sativum) is soaked in 200 gram kerosene overnight. Then 100 gram chilli(Capsicum annuum) is added to it. Both the ingredients are then removed and pounded together and 200 millilitre water is added to make a solvent. This solvent is sprayed on the crop. It will soon be observed that the insect problem on pomegranate plant Punica granatum is reduced by about 50 per cent under this method.



Lahanbhai Dhakalbhai Bhinsara from the Valsad district in Gujarat prepares a mixture from larvae of an insect pest and ghee (clarified butter) to control pests in the finger millet (Eleusinecoracana) crop. Bhinsara collects five larvae of an insect pest (unidentified) from the plant stalks and boils in 200 grams of ghee (clarified butter). He dilutes this mixture with 10 litres of water and sprinkles on the crop with the help of a broom. This practice is commonly carried out by the people in ...



Leaves of Custard apple (Annaona squomosa) - 1 kg Turmeric rhizome - 1 kg Peenari changu (Clerodendrum inermi) - 1 kg. Chothukatralai (Aloe vera) - 1 kg. Nochi (Vitex negundo) - 1 kg Neem Kernel (Azadirachta indica) - 1 kg Calortropis - 1 kg. The above products are ground into a paste by adding sufficient water and about 5 liters of juice is extracted. This is diluted with another 15 liters of water to make 20 liters finally. This herbal extract is administered into the crown region of the pl...



Withering is common problem in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) crop. To prevent the crop from withering, 4 to 5 plants of sweet basil (Ocimum basillicum) are planted prior to the planting of tobacco seedlings. This prevents the withering of crop.This is traditional method learnt from forefathers.



Applying cowdung mixed in the leaves of kasaraka or Poison nut (Strychnosnuxvomica) to destroy root grubs.T S Hegde from the North Kanara district in Karnataka uses the leaves of kasaraka or Poison nut (Strychnosnuxvomica) mixed in cow dung to destroy root grubs in the cardaman and lemon plant. Hegde takes the leaves of poison nut and mixes it with cow dung. This mixture is applied as manure to the cardamom and lemon plants to destroy root grubs.Take the leaves of kasaraka or Poison nut (Stry...



Neem kernels 1 kg is powdered well and soaked in 5 liters of water for 12 hours and then filtered. This filtrate is added with 400 gms of dehydrated limestone powder and kept as such for 12 hours. Then, this solution can be filtered through a fine cotton cloth. This mixture should be sprayed at the rate of 1250 ml / 45 liters of water with power sprayer for 1 acre. Spraying of this mixture is advisable to be done in the morning or in the evening. Floral Mixture to enhance flowering and Fruiti...



During ploughing, farm yard manure is applied and many crop seeds are sown before planting seeds. (crop seeds includes 4 types of pulses, 4 types of millets, 2 types of oil seeds and 2 types of aromatic crop) On the 60th day germinated crops are ploughed by rotractor and inter ploughing is done in 2 feet gap. On 60th day of planting of setts, earthingup is done. Then one more sowing of many crop seeds is undertaken in the irrigation channels. On 60th day of sowing these plants are uprooted an...



A mixture of kerosene oil and detergent soap powder is found to minimize whitefly infestation in crops. Dhirubhai Bhovanbhai of Zanzmer village in Gujurat has found that the mixture of kerosene oil and detergent soap powder is effective in minimizing whitefly infestation in crops.



Fresh aag fulta fruits are collected when still green, crushed in water, and then filtered. The liquid is sprayed on the crop and begins to take effect in 4-5 hours. This practice has continued unaltered since time immemorial. The surface grasshopper locally called khapedi infests sorghum during the monsoon season. Fresh aag fulta fruits are collected when still green, crushed in water, and then filtered. The liquid is sprayed on the crop and begins to take effect in 4-5 hours. This practice ...



Kanjibhai Darbar of Gujarat uses toothbrush tree (Salvadorapersica) and farmyard manure (FYM) for better germination of paddy (Oryzasativa) seedlings.Paddy seed is soaked in water for 12 hours then transferred into a basket and covered tightly with leaves of toothbrush tree (Salvadorapersica). Keep the basket aside for 24 hours, but cool water has to be sprinkled on the basket thrice during the period. Under this method, paddy will germinate faster. Because of slurry the paddy plants fix well...



Burning firewood doused in ghee is found to protect sorghum from the disease `Ratda.Farmers always keep firewood on hand to protect their sorghum from `Ratda disease. The wood is burned in the affected field and ghee (clarified butter) is added to produce smoke that brings the disease under control.



Commonly when the plant of groundnut grows of 30-45 days this insect attack the root and damages the root so the plant becomes dry and the production of groundnut decreases. To control this menace before sowing the seeds of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) make one layer of steinbrech (Holoptelea integrifolia) as one of the fertilizer. This stops the attack of termite. This is traditional method applying since many years.Has learnt method from his forefathers.



Use of leaves of Indian beach (Pongamia pinnata) for seedling of paddy (oryza sativa). At the time of soil preparation for the seed bed of paddy (Oryza sativa) seedling, 20 kg leaves (either green or dry) of Indian peach (Pongamia pinnata) are mixed with the soil. And then seed bed is prepared. Seeds are sown on this bed. These leaves help to solve the problems of yellowing and rotting of seedlings. Also the bitter taste of the leaves of Indian peach (Pongamia pinnata) helps to keep the insec...



Vegetable crops like chilli (Capsicum annuum) and brinjal (Solanummelongena) require more moisture and well managed cultivation. Weeds can be a major constraint in the production of these crops. Green mulch can effectively control the weed infestation. To control weeds in crops like chilli and brinjal, leaves and branches of tellicherry bark plant (Holarrhena anti-dysenterica) are spread in the furrows around the crop plant. This prevents direct loss of moisture from the soil, as evaporation ...



Use of lemon juice (Citrus limon) and tamarind juice (Tamarindus indica) for capsule borer in castor (Ricinus communis) crop. The capsule borer is one inch long and has fine thin hairs all around the body. The larva is found on the tree. To save the castor crop, use 150 ml each of lemon juice (Citrus limon) and tamarind juice (Tamarindus indica), in which 15 L of water is added and sprayed on the 0.24 ha of castor (Ricinus communis) field to the control the infestation of capsule borer. If th...



Ash sprinkled on the lucerne crop is found to be effective in controlling aphids. Ash is dusted on the lucerne (Medicago sativa) crop for controlling aphids. The ash may be collected from either the house `chulah (broom) or dung cakes. This practice has been followed for a very long time.



Use of lemon juice (Citrus limon) for control of leaf curl disease in chilli (Capsicum annuum) crop. Leaves of chilli (Capsicum annuum) plant gets curled. The growth is obstructed and hence the plant remains dwarf. The disease damages mostly to the leaves of the plant. To save the crop, use lemon juice (Citrus limon), which is extracted and water is added to the mixture. This mixture is sprayed to the affected chilli (Capsicum annuum) crop and hence, crop is saved from the curling problem. Th...



Take 1 kg. Of dried cow dung in an earthern pot and mix it with 15 gm. of tobacco. Fume this mixture keeping the earthern pot below the vegetable canopy; the smoke is enough to kill the harmful pests. The procedure is to be repeated every week. For treatment of insects and pests affecting grams (choli), grind 25 gm. of tobacco, dilute with water and keep overnight. In the morning, mix it with a little coconut oil and soap solution and sprinkle on the leaves of the choli Normally, five to six ...



Before planting, land is ploughed for two to three times. The land is made even by removing stones and other stubbles from the land. Then the ginger roots are planted into the soil. Dry leaves of teak (Tectonagrandis) plant are spread over the surface of land. After that, small stems with leaves of bustard teak (Buteamonosperma), 2 to 3 feet in length are spread uniformly on the surface of soil. When the ginger (Zingiberofficinalis) plant attains the height of 10 to 15 cm, the stems of bustar...



A few ounces of kerosene (1/4 litre) is filled in an open plastic bottle bottle.The bottle is to be hung on the branches of the coconut tree, and when the bottle is agitated, the odour of kerosene around the tree is enough to repel the pests. K Panickan has spent the last 60 to 70 years in the field of agriculture. His father had developed organic pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides. For his own part, he has researched informally in rice cultivation. His innovation detailed h...



Use leaves of kevada tree (Pandanus odoratissimus) for control of cheetaraa insects in maize. Cheetaraa insects are often seen in maize crop. This disease is spread through some animals. Sow the plant kevada tree (Pandanus odoratissimus) between the two rows and at the end of farm for the control of insect. It effect is seen within two days. Method is under use since last 25 years and more than 50 % of villagers are using this practice. He has learnt this method from his forefathers. No chemi...



Use of cows milk for the control of flower and fruit drop in cucurbitacious vegetable crops. Flower and fruit drop in the cucurbitacious crop may be due to sudden environmental changes that bring the harmonal changes in the plant. It may be the result of attack of insect pest or pathogen. For the control of this disease, milk of cow is sprayed in the morning hours for three subsequent days. This results in the control of disease and increase in the productivity of the crop. This disease is mo...



The bark of mukul (Commiphora mukul) and its gum are mixed with maize, flour and sugar. The smoke of this mixture helps in controlling the leaf-curl disease. The late Rameshbhai had developed an innovative fumigation practice to control leaf-curl in chilli. The bark of mukul (Commiphora mukul) and its gum were mixed with maize, flour and sugar. The smoke of this mixture helped in controlling the leaf-curl disease.



Crop yield can be increased by cultivation of crops in certain sequence. This is especially because of the allelochemical effect of the previous crop. The effect may be positive or negative depending on the crop. So on the basis of research and the experience it can be decided to have a typical sequence of sowing of crop, to have higher yields. In the same way, the crop of great millet followed by the crop of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is found to give higher yield. The reason being the r...



As informed by Karsanbhai, the pests damage the crops of pearl millet (Pennisetumtyphoides) and pulses on a very large scale, by eating away the leaves and flower. These pest breeds profusely, so if precautions are not taken, the entire crop is destroyed in 15 to 20 days. To control it, the fresh, green leaves with twigs of swallow wort (Calotropisprocera) are placed on the field 15 - 20 feet apart. After two days, it is observed that the insects pest descend down to feed upon the swallow wo...



In order to get higher yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa) crop, daub the soil ridges with dung on both sides of the row of plants. This helps in soil moisture conservation. Higher moisture in soil invites more earthworms to provide more of organic matter to the plant. Dung increases the porosity of the soil, helping the tubers to develop well inside the soil. These all added advantages finally increase the yield of the turmeric (Curcuma longa) crop. The practice was compared with the crop with...



They collect lemon juice in a glass vessel and leave it aside for 10 to15 days. They spray this solution on the cotton crop (25 to 30 millimeter per pump) to control damage done by a pest locally referred to as lashkari.Collect lemon juice in a glass vessel and leave it aside for 10 to15 days. Spray this solution on the cotton crop (25 to 30 millimeter per pump) to control damage done by a pest locally referred to as lashkari.



Ramjan Bashis Badrani of Junagadh district in Gujarat uses the leaf extract of Kahithapu or paperflower (Bougainvillea glabra)to control the damping-off disease in tomato nursery. Mix 20 millilitres of leaf extract in one litre of water. Soak the seeds in it for six hours.



For better germination of seeds of ladys finger (Abelmoschus esculentum), soak the seeds in the latex of swallow wart (Calotropis procera)or seven hours. Sow the soaked seeds in the moist soil. Seeds germinate within one or one and half hour. Though the innovator has adopted this practice only for his kitchen garden, it provides an important key for its further research, as well as for the use of this practice in larger areas to get faster germination of the seeds.



A traditional technique to protect wheat crop from termites is by planting and replacing "kharsadi" (Euphorbia tirucalli) plant in water grooves in the field.Shivrambhai Vohra is a farmer from Madanagadh village of Palanpurtaluka of Banaskantha district in Gujarat. He suggests a remedy to protect wheat crop from termites. Termite strikes after wheat has grown to full height in the winter. It eats up the roots and destroys the crop. Vohra puts "kharsadi" (Euphorbia tirucalli) plant in watering...



Dolichos seeds are coated with castor oil, dried and then stored in earthen vessels. The vessels are covered with lids and sealed with cow dung. This method of seed storage is prevalent in areas adjoining the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border and is said to keep seeds safe for one or two years.Dolichos seeds are coated with castor oil, dried and then stored in earthen vessels. The vessels are covered with lids and sealed with cow dung. This method of seed storage is prevalent in areas adjoining the...



During the monsoon season, aphids infest the crop of cotton(Gossypium hirsutum). Aphids suck out juice of the leaves from their underside and growth of the plant is thus stopped. To control aphids, 4 kilogram leaves of eucalyptus(Eucalyptus globulus) and Indian bedellium (Commiphora mukul)are mixed together and a bonfire is made of the leafy heaps on cow dung cakes at two or three places in the farm so the smoke spreads evenly throughout. The leafy bonfires are lit once a week for two weeks. ...



Rodents cause serious losses to the groundnut (Arachishypogaea) and paddy (Oryzasativa) crops. It thus becomes necessary to control rats from ravaging the crops. One practice has been developed in Dahod by MavabhaiParmar. To control rats, first keep a watch on the movement of rats in the field and their route. On this route, put half-ground groundnuts near the burrows for two days continuously. It becomes a habit and rats feed on the nuts. On the third day, arrange the pods of cowhage (Mucuna...



Soak five kilogrammes of the leaves of lantana (Lantana amara) in five litres of cow's urine for three days. Dilute this mixture with 90 litres of water and pray on the plants.Bhupendrabhai Kaljibhai of Dahod district in Gujarat makes use of the leaves of lantana (Lantana camara) soaked in cow's urine to treat fungal diseases in plants. The leaf extract of lantana is found to be active against most fungal pathogens. He soaks five kilogrammes of lantana leaves in five litres of cow urine for t...



Termite is a international pest, it servives on almost all crops. The termite affected plant wilts, resulting in the economic loss of the farmer. To control this pest, 30 kg of castor (Ricinus communis ) cake and 10 kg stembark of mahua tree are spread per acre of land before tilling. Till the field deeply to uniformly mix the castor cake and stem bark. This brings 60 % control of termites. This is a traditional practice learnt from forefathers.



For the control of green caterpillar in the groundnut crop, Govindbhai has developed a mixture of sitafal, neem leaves, water (in which green chillies have been soaked overnight), bitter orayo, and filtrate of biogas available from Bandel. This solution is sprayed on the groundnut crop and provides 70 -80 % protection of crop against the pest



Ms. Swetha has come up with a process which can kill pests: blue-green algae is mixed in soil to stimulate the growth of plants. When the pests come to attack the plants, they immediately die due to the chemical reactions that go on in the blue green algae which are harmful to pests but not to humans. Ms. Swetha has developed a reaction, which can kill pests. Blue green algae is mixed in the soil for growing plants. When the pests come to attack the plants, they immediately die, due to the c...



"Madhia" is the condition in which a honeydew-like sticky substance is secreted by a sucking insect pest called aphid (Aphis gossypii), which is deposited on the leaves of cotton (Gossypiumherbaceum) plants. A black sooty mould develops on this secretion. This makes the leaves look blackish and shiny. To prevent this condition from spreading in the field, one-litre buttermilk and one-litre cow urine are mixed together. Add it to 15-litre water. The solution is prepared one day prior to actual...



When corn (Zea mays) crop is affected by aphids, the whole fetid cassia (Cassia tora) plant is burnt along with leaves and branches of other plants and dry dung cake to generate a smoke. The fumes of this bonfire help control aphids in the corn crop. The quantity of cassia and other leaves required to make the bonfire depends on the size of land. Bonfires are made in four corners of the field as well as the centre to ensure the entire field is exposed to the smoke. This smoke eradicates aphid...



To control this disease, a spray solution is prepared by soaking either two kilogram of the leaves or one to one-and a half kilogram of the roots of "valthumbha" plant in 100 L of water. The soaked ingredient are kept undisturbed for 24 to 48 hour. In case, if roots are used, they are slightly ground before soaking and If the leaves are used, they are simply crushed. The solution is filtered to remove large particles before spraying. The effect of the remedy can be observed within 10 to 12 da...