Adoption Behaviour of Indigenous Agricultural and Ethnoveterinary Practices Among Tribal Farmers of Kalrayan Hills, Tamil Nadu

Indigenous agricultural and ethnoveterinary practices are integral components of the traditional knowledge systems of tribal farming communities and play a vital role in promoting sustainable agriculture and livestock health. The present study assessed the adoption behaviour of tribal farmers toward indigenous agricultural and ethnoveterinary practices in the Kalrayan Hills of Tamil Nadu, a region rich in tribal culture and traditional knowledge. An ex-post facto research design was employed, and data were collected from tribal farmers using a well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Adoption behaviour was analyzed across various indigenous practices and respondents were categorized based on their adoption levels. The results indicated that a majority of farmers exhibited medium to high adoption, particularly in crop protection, soil fertility management, animal healthcare and disease prevention. Factors such as age, farming experience, inheritance of traditional knowledge and access to local resources influenced adoption. Despite increased exposure to modern technologies, indigenous practices remain preferred due to their cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness and cultural relevance. The study emphasizes the need for documentation, validation and integration of indigenous practices into formal extension programmes to strengthen sustainable agriculture and livelihood security among tribal farmers.