The main focus of the study was to identify the indigenous knowledge system
being used by the rural men in farming and household activities and also to
examine its extent. Data were collected from Poba upazila under Rajshahi
district and Gabtoli upazila under Bogra district in Bangladesh from 125
randomly selected rural men out of total population of 1,145 from 15
February to 14 May, 2009. The fifty potential indigenous knowledge systems
were identified through participatory rural appraisal prior to finalizing
the schedule. The findings reveal that greater proportion of rural men were
illiterate, middle aged categories, small farmer category, medium
agricultural and environmental knowledge category, high level farming
experience, medium cosmopoliteness, medium communication exposure, no
organizational participation and moderately favorable category. Among the 50
identified indigenous knowledge systems, ?Setting up bamboo sticks, branches
of trees etc., in rice fields to let the birds sit and eat away insects?
reached the highest extent of use by the farmers in agricultural practices.
?Soaking boro rice seeds in water for 1-3 days before sowing in the bed for
rapid germination?, ?Drying mature bottle gourds (Lagenaria vulgaris) in the
sun and storing the seeds inside without rupturing the fruits? and ?Keeping
rice seedlings under shed for 1-2 days before transplanting for the purpose
of increasing tolerance? took the 2nd, 3rd and 4th position regarding the
extent of use. Considering farmers? practicing category, the highest
proportion (47.2%) of the respondents belonged to the low user as compared
to 39.2% in the moderate user and 13.6% in the high user. Recommendations
were forwarded to the extension specialists, researchers and administrators
to undertake desk and experimental research concerning indigenous knowledge
systems.
Practice of indigenous knowledge system by the farmers in maintaining ecosystem in Bangladesh
