HIDDEN TECHNOLOGY IN TRADITIONAL METHODS OF AGRICULTURE IN ZIRO

Ziro, a paradise land situated at altitude of 2573 meters from mean sea level is encircled with lofty hills covered by infinite green forest enriched with variant species of flora and fauna including several rare species like pine tree (Pinus Patanis), Bamboo (Pleioblastus Simonii), etc. Nature has gifted a wonderful ecology to Ziro Valley by providing a heavenly natural condition for the people and it’s surrounding. In coherent with favorable ecology, the inhabitants of this valley are quite intelligent to maintain its balance and to perpetuate its beauty through traditional arrangement. They are popularly known as most eco-friendly tribes of the world. The traditional management, which they have been practicing from time immemorial are simple in observation but involves high technology indeed.

          The inhabitants of this tranquil valley who are primitive, medium stature and typical mongoloid having prominent tattoos, ornamented with nose plug by women and red dyed cane tail by men are called Apatani. The main occupation of these people is agriculture. The traditional methods of agriculture management of these people are very popular. They have developed many incredible agriculture methods; in synchronize with the latest scientific technology so called the sustainable agriculture. Even some of the technique use, which has been developed by these people are not yet found in modern technology. Few examples of the agriculture methods traditionally developed by the Apatanis are discussed below:

LAND USE MANAGMENT

The kitchen garden (Local name ‘Balu’) is present in almost every household. It is located at the backside or at the adjoining side of the dwelling house. The selections of crops for planting in kitchen garden are done in such a way that it meets the immediate requirement for the household. The common crops are chilly, ginger, cucumber, beans, maize, mustard, cabbage, cauliflower, coriander, pumpkin, colocasia, potato etc. The kitchen garden represents a perfect mixed cropping with less in number of same crop but containing variety in species.

          The upland areas a bit away from dwelling house, ranging 200 m to 1000 m are used for distant garden (known as ‘Yorlu’). It is properly enclosed with fence using bamboo tip or sometimes with China rose (Hibiscus roseasinensis). Selection of crop is made same as that of Kitchen garden but grown in larger area. Fruits bearing trees like Apple, Pear, Plum etc. are also planted along the fence or planned randomly in the garden. Primarily the produce of distant garden(Yorlu) is for domestic, but is made commercially available, if surplus arises.

          The upland area having same distance with distant garden (Yorlu) or a little far away is used as open garden (Lyapio). It is no bounded by fence. However, it is properly demarcated with furrows from individual’s plot to plot. It is generally planted with finger millet, but potatoes are also planted occasionally.

          Bamboo grove (Biije) is located at the adjoining site of kitchen garden or may be located at a distance of 2 to 3 km from the house. It is managed by an individual. Certain types of shrubs and trees are also grown along with the bamboo. Bamboo is preserved as much as possible, so as to use it for construction of traditional house as well as use in the emergency situation.

          After bamboo groves, it is followed by trees and shrub forest (Sansung). It is generally used for collecting firewood. It is managed by an individual. Some useful trees and shrubs are grown in this forest like pine tree etc. and regular a forestation with useful trees and shrubs are done by removing the unwanted plants. This forest is very useful as an alternative source of firewood to bamboo.

          The land after trees and shrubs forest is followed by deep forest (Morey). It is jointly managed by a sub-clan or a clan or by the whole village. The area is kept open for rearing mithun and is also used for hunting wild animals. There is no restriction for cutting firewood except for certain valuable trees and shrubs and growing different varieties of canes.

          It is seen from the above pattern that systematic arrangement has been made for using available land and there is not a single piece of land, which is found unused and barren. This pattern refers to the three-tier system of agro-forestry management in which lowest level of land has to be planted with agronomical crops, middle level with horticulture crops and on top level with forestry plants. This pattern of agro-forestry management helps in controlling the soil erosion and in maintaining the ecological balance.

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT:

          A splendid work done by the ancient Apatanis is in developing the permanent irrigation system. The most interesting features of irrigation system is that the water from different sources like small stream, rivulets, rills etc. are collected into a common point and released through a single outlet which is scientifically termed as geohydrological unit or the catchments area and this management process is called water use efficiency. The main irrigation channel (Silling), which is connected from the sources, runs along the top most area of the terrace-wet-paddy field, preferably, in the area just at the foothill of distance garden or bamboo groves. The other secondary channels are connected from main channel and run downward. The irrigation system is designed in such a manner that all the paddy fields are supplied with plenty of water through the field ditches. If one area is not sufficient to receive water from one direction, then it is supplied from another direction. The paddy fields are arranged slightly in terraced form with lowering down pattern, so that all the fields get water from one source or the other. To develop such an irrigation system it requires intense survey and systematic study of the area.

It is observed from the above discussion that the forefather of Apatanis were very hard working and highly technical oriented people, on account of which they have successfully developed the indigenous-permanent irrigation system.

MANURE AND FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT

          From time immemorial the Apatanis have been using, the piggery and poultry excreta, firewood ash and paddy straw, which is burned down in situ etc. in the agriculture field to increase the yield of crops. Perhaps only few tribes in the world must have been using these materials for the same purpose without having knowledge of the advanced technology. Scientifically, these materials are called organic manures. The piggery and poultry excreta contains high amount of Nitrogen, which helps to increase the number of leaves, tillering and luxuriant growth of vegetables parts of the pants. It is advisable to apply more in leafy vegetable garden. Firewood ash and straw ash contain high amount of phosphate and potash- of which phosphorous helps to improve the reproductive parts of the plants such as fruits and seeds and potassium helps to improve the defensive mechanism of the plants. In general organic manures improve soil texture, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity and fertility of the soil.

NON-TILLAGING OF PADDY FIELD:

          It is one of the most unique methods of paddy cultivation. The paddy seedlings are transplanted without ploughing the main field, while stubbles of previous crops are still there, besides the yield is also not affected. It is not a rationing crop. The main reason behind the successful cultivation of this method may be because of proper management of water, weeds and sufficient gap between crops to crop. However, it is the most distinct method of paddy cultivation ever know.

PADDY-CUM-FISH CULTURE:

          It is the most interesting method practiced by the Apatanis. The success behind the adoption of this method is the efficient water management by these people. In early periods, the standing water in paddy field was used for culturing the aqua fauna like small fishes, nymphs or dragonfly, tadpoles, frogs etc. These were harvested at the time of weeding and finally at the last drainage at about 25-30 days before harvesting of the paddy. But, this method has been improved by introducing the village level fish pond by the government in early 1960s, from which the fingerlings are transferred annually to the main paddy field. Culturing fish especially common-carp along with the paddy, acts as a promising bio-agent for controlling certain aquatic weeds.

TOP CUTTING OF SEEDLINGS

          Top cutting of paddy seedlings are done when the seedlings is beyond the transplanting stage and is to be transplanted after two or three days. But this method is compulsory for millet. Apatanis have been practicing this technique for a long period of time, unknown about the usefulness of the technique. In scientific point of view, it helps to decrease the transpiration rate of the plant by reducing the exposed leaf area, delay in wilting and reduce the diseases, insect and pest infestations by letting off the affected part which is generally found of the leaf tip.

TOBACCO PLANTING IN THE BORDER OF CHILLY BED:

          Tabacco is planted in the border of chilly bed. This method is being practiced since ancient periods. They found that if tobacco is planted along with chilly on its bed, the chilly plant dies less. The scientific reason behind this relation is that the chilly is susceptible to infestation of chilly trips (Scritotrips Dorsalis). The trips suck the sap from tender region and cause the leaf to shrivel, shoot hardly develops, and leaves fall off. The same trips are more attracted to the tobacco plants when it is planted along with the chilly plants. This way it helps to avert the sever infestation of trips in chilly. This method is called trap cropping.

          There are many things yet to be learned from their indigenous traditional techniques, which in turn may help us to solve various agriculture problems in eco-friendly manner. However, these indigenous techniques require proper exploration and exposure, so that these techniques would fuse with modern technology to develop and improved method. This improved method can be achieved by joint efforts of scientific personnel and the local people.

          The ancestors of Apatanis had developed sufficient agriculture techniques at their utmost capacity. They gave their best effort to provide maximum socio-economy security to their offspring and to open a series of avenues for future generation and thus, they had achieved it. Now, the card turns on the hand of present generation about how they utilize the inherited indigenous techniques in acclimating with the latest trend for their next generation.