Agro-biodiversity in rice–wheat-based agroecosystems of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India: implications for conservation and sustainable management

Abstract

In this study, we analysed the indigenous practices of agro-biodiversity, changing patterns of cropping systems and conservation of agriculturally important natural resources of rice–wheat-based agroecosystems. The research was carried out in three villages of Azamgarh district, eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Participatory approaches and personal interviews were combined to collect the data from 180 farmers. The results indicated that resource-poor (RP) farmers, by applying traditional practices of natural resource conservation, outperform their rich (RR) counterparts in conserving agro-biodiversity. Increase in irrigation facilities, adoption of improved crop varieties, commercialisation of farming and socio-economic changes have threatened the agro-biodiversity and related natural resources of these agroecosystems. For most of the crops, the RP farmers had better production stability as compared to the RR ones because the former tend to apply more sustainable and ecologically sound indigenous practices. A negative growth rate was observed in the area/numbers and production of legumes, livestock, pasture lands and community forestry. Women, who are the local custodians of conserving indigenous biodiversity (uncultivated species) and crop varieties through localised knowledge and sociocultural institutions, had significantly higher knowledge on agro-biodiversity than men. We concluded that integration of farmers’ eco-friendly practices with formal science and policy-making in a participatory mode may enhance sustainability of functions of agroecosystem leading to the strengthening of adaptive practices in changing climate and socio-economic scenario.

Keywords:

• agro-biodiversity
• livestock
• conservation
• traditional knowledge
• women’s wisdom

Acknowledgements

This article is dedicated to the respected Late Mrs Shyama Devi, the grandmother of first author (RKS), who was a guiding force in teaching indigenous knowledge and promoting agro-biodiversity conservation. Authors are also grateful to these elderly women, namely Mrs Butki Devi (75 years), Mrs Dhanari Devi (75 years) and Mrs Dukandarin Singh (85 years), for their key role in data collection. We thank all the farmers, key communicators and local women who contributed their knowledge for this study and helped in building rapport with the community.

It is an independent research and carried out during a project work on disclosing the indigenous technological knowledge in agriculture through mission mode programme of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India. The first author was rewarded by ICAR for voluntarily working and providing data on indigenous knowledge through this study. Editorial contribution of Professor Nancy J. Turner, University of Victoria, Canada, is gratefully acknowledged.