Traditional farming knowledge on agroecosystem conservation in Northeast coastal Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Traditional farming knowledge on agroecosystem management promoted the low cost sustainable development in ecosystems through optimal use of natural resources. It protects and conserves ecological systems, and improving economic efficiency of the farming community. The coastal agroecosystem of Parangipettai (Portonovo) in Northeastern coastal Tamil Nadu is a typical agrisilvicultural zone with an effective traditional farming knowledge. A wider range of indigenous methods like rainwater harvesting, soil and water conservation are in practice now to cultivate annual and perennial crops. These methods are ecofriendly, cost effective and utilization of human knowledge to conserve the local environment, enhancing the use of locally available inputs and are useful to uplift the economic growth of the rural people.