01(01) November 2021 - Grassroots Journals

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01(01) ⚫ November 2021

ISSN 2564-4653

AGROBIODIVERSITY & AGROECOLOGY

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Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution

International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The objective of our journal Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology is to explore variety of

concepts, practices and implications in emerging scientific fields within combined and

integrated domain of Agrobiodiversity (or Agricultural Biodiversity) and Agroecology.

This journal aims at creating an opportunity for presenting different research from all parts

of the world that facilitate the dialogue across different disciplines and various actors for

capitalizing on different kind of knowledges. This journal is inclusive by giving the

opportunity to: (i) researcher from the South to publish in a journal without any fees for the

open-access, and (ii) farmers' organizations and NGOs to be represented as co-authors with

researchers for presenting together their viewpoints on the research.

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iii



INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Johannes Engels

Honorary Research Fellow, Alliance of the Biodiversity International and CIAT,

Italy

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dr. Didier Bazile

CIRAD Biodiversity Advisor & Senior Researcher, UMR SENS, Center for

International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD),

France

DEPUTY EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Dr. Habil. Maria-Mihaela Antofie

Associate Professor & Director, Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences &

Environmental Protection, Faculty for Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and

Environmental Protection, University "Lucian Blaga" from Sibiu, Romania

Prof. Dr. Gordana Đurić

Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Coordinator, Working Group for Plant Genetic

Resources, & Coordinator, Sub-Working Group for Fruits and Vitis, University of

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

TECHNICAL & MANAGING EDITOR

Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend

Senior Fellow, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

& Founder President, The Grassroots Institute, Canada

EDITORIAL BOARD

Dr. Parviz Koohafkan

President, World Agricultural Heritage Foundation, Italy

Dr. M. Ehsan Dulloo

Principal Scientist & Team Leader, Agrobiodiversity Production System Team,

Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture Lever, Alliance of Biodiversity International

and CIAT Africa, Mauritius


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Dr. Charito (Chito) Medina

Consultant and Founding Member, MASIPAG (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa

Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura), Philippines

Normita G. Ignacio

Executive Director, Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community

Empowerment (SEARICE), Philippines

Dr. Bal Krishna Joshi

Senior Scientist (Plant Genetics and Breeding), NAGRC (National Gene Bank),

Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal

Krystyna Swiderska

Principal Researcher (Agriculture and Biodiversity), Natural Resources,

International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), UK

Dr. Marc Lateur

Directeur Scientifique/ Scientific Unit Head, ECPGR Malus/Pyrus WG Chair,

Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Unit Plant & Forest Biodiversity and

Breeding, Belgium

Prof. Dr. Alipio Canahua Murillo

Agricultural & Rural Development Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization

of the UN (FAO), Peru & Professor, Graduate School of the National University of

the Altiplano, Peru

Prof. Dr. Yiching Song

Professor & Programme Leader, UN Environment Programme - International

Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP) c/o Institute of Geographic

Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of

Sciences (CAS), People’s Republic of China

Dr. Mirela Kajkut Zeljković

Assistant Professor & Scientific Associate, Institute of Genetic Resources,

University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Prof. Dr. Sonja Ivanovska

Full Professor, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agricultural

Sciences and Food, "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" University in Skopje, North Macedonia

Prof. Dr. Milan Mataruga

Full Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Dr. habil. Camelia Sava

Professor & Dean, Faculty for Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and

Environmental Protection, University "Lucian Blaga" from Sibiu, Romania


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Dr. Cristian-Felix Blidar

Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Faculty of Informatics and Sciences,

University of Orade, Romania

Caroline Ledant

Project Manager, Schola Campesina Aps, Italy

Maedeh Salimi

Board Member & Program Manager, Centre for Sustainable Development and

Environment (CENESTA), Iran

Dr. Rhonda R. Janke

Associate Professor & Head, Department of Plant Sciences, Sultan Qaboos

University, Sultanate of Oman


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

M-00253 Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology: Inaugural

Editorial By Didier Bazile (Editor-in-Chief, Agrobiodiversity &

Agroecology)

vii-ix

M-00254 Agrobiodiversity and Natural Resource Management

in Traditional Agricultural Systems of Northeast

India By Wishfully Mylliemngap

1-23

M-00255 Determinants of Gender Division in Agricultural

Works and Agrobiodiversity Management in Nepal By Subodh Khanal, Asmita Ghimire, Aastha Acharya, Anisha

Sapkota, Gokarna Adhikari

24-46

M-00256 Agrobiodiversity Indicators and Measurement using

R for Description, Monitoring, Comparison,

Relatedness, Conservation and Utilization By Bal Krishna Joshi

47-64

M-00257 Importance of the Indigenous Plant Knowledge:

Study of Selected Plant Species Culturally Used by

the Karbi Community of Karbi Anglong District,

North-East India By Kliret Terangpi

65-78

M-00258 Study on the Diversity of Products Obtained from

Sheep in the Current Bioeconomy Context By Lavinia Udrea, Gabriela Teodorescu, Sînziana Venera

Morărița, Ivona David

79-95

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the new journal “Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology”!

Biodiversity is the diversity of life with millions of species, mostly unknown, that

represent the immensity, and, at the same time, the complexity of life in ecosystems.

This concept was popularized in 1992 with the Convention on Biological Diversity

signed in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). For last 30 years, the regular Conferences of the Parties

(COPs) underline the need to take a new look at the balance of the planet. Only during

the COP13 in Mexico, and the COP14 in Egypt, the biodiversity was really considered

important in/for the agricultural sector. We hope that the launching of this new journal

‘Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology’ (A&A) will help enhance the recognition of

biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and the importance of biodiversity for agricultural

systems.

Biodiversity, a contraction of "biological diversity", is an expression designating

the variety and diversity of the living world. In its broadest sense, this word is almost

synonymous to “Life on Earth”. Biological diversity has been defined as ‘the variability

among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and

other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this

includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems" (Article.2 of the

Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992). We need to consider the diversity of living

species (microorganisms, plants, animals) present in an ecosystem in which they live,

but also all the interactions of species between them and with their environment.

If 1992 represents the signature of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the

concept of sustainable development, at the same time, based on social, economic and

ecological aspects, was gaining ground. It is why, for the last 30 years, biodiversity has

also been understood through economic, historical and social dimensions, and not only

through ecological dynamics, even if the Convention on Biological Diversity considers

only the following four main dimensions: genetic, specific, ecosystemic and cultural

diversities.

Biodiversity in Agriculture or Agrobiodiversity refers to all plant and animal

breeds in agriculture, their wild relatives, their species of origin and the species that

interact with them e.g., pollinators, symbionts, parasites, predators, decomposers and

competitors, as well as the full range of environments in which agriculture is practiced,

not only arable land or cultivated fields. It, thus, encompasses the variety and variability

of living organisms that contribute to food and agriculture in the broadest sense.

Agrobiodiversity includes genes, populations, species, communities, ecosystems, and

landscape components as well as human interactions with them. It also includes many

M – 00253 | Inaugural Editorial ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021

AGROBIODIVERSITY & AGROECOLOGY | 01(01) NOVEMBER 2021

Published by The Grassroots Institute (Canada) in partnership with University "Lucian Blaga" from Sibiu (Romania) and Fondacija Alica Banja Luka

(Bosnia i Herzegovina). Website: http://grassrootsjournals.org/aa

Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology: Inaugural Editorial

Didier Bazile1,2 (Editor-in-Chief, Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology)

CIRAD Biodiversity Advisor & Senior Researcher, 1 CIRAD, UMR SENS, F-34398 Montpellier, France 2 SENS, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France.

Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5617-9319

How to cite this paper: Bazile, D.

(2021). Agrobiodiversity and

Agroecology. Agrobiodiversity &

Agroecology, 01(01): vii-viii. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010100

Received: 01 November 2021

Published: 10 November 2021

Copyright © 2021 by author(s)

Publisher’s Note: We stay neutral

with regard to jurisdictional claims

in published maps, permissions

taken authors and institutional

affiliations.

License: This work is licensed under

the Creative Commons Attribution

International License (CC BY 4.0).

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b

y/4.0/

Keywords: Agrobiodiversity;

Agroecology; Governance;

Participation

Editor-in-Chief:

Dr. Didier Bazile (France)

Deputy Editors-in-Chief:


(Romania); Dr. Gordana Đurić

(Bosnia i Herzegovina)

Technical & Managing Editor:

Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend (Canada)

viii Didier Bazile

ISSN 2564-4653 | Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology | vol.01, no.01 (November 2021): vii-ix | Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010100

habitats and species outside of agricultural systems that benefit agriculture and enhance

the functions of the cultivated ecosystem (Jakson et al., 2005).

From biodiversity to agrobiodiversity, we consider the same different levels but

all depend on a strong cultural component: the Genes (source of adaptability based on

the variability of individuals as a reservoir for plant breeding), the Species

(diversification of cropping systems, and multiple uses of plants and animals), the

Ecosystems (challenges and opportunities to conserve them through agricultural activity,

services perceived and provided like water and soil conservation, pollination, etc.) and

the Culture (to understand socio-ecosystems as a whole with knowledge, innovations

and practices of local communities and sustainable use). Plant genetic resources (PGRs)

are a very small part of agrobiodiversity that include the diverse plant genetic material

contained in traditional varieties and modern cultivars, as well as wild relatives of

cultivated species and other wild plant species that can be used now or in the future for

food and agricultural purposes (FAO, 1996).

Agriculture has always been based on access and exchange, not on exclusivity.

PGRs have been collected and exchanged for more than 10,000 years considering

propagation on the planet with human migrations, improvement of cultivars according

to local contexts, use and cultivation of a large number of species. People have often

traded their local plants and breeds. Farmers exchange seeds and grow exotic material

amid their usual plants to avoid declines in productivity. Farmers are not only curators

but also creators of diversity because they domesticate the original wild plants and

animals, they add to diversity by adapting cultivated plants to new ecosystems and

human needs, and they are always discovering new crops and animals.

The value of agrobiodiversity lies as much in the intra-specific diversity as in the

number of species. Farmers contribute to increasing diversity through farming and

cropping systems. When a system dies, diversity must be conserved ex situ. Countries

and regions are "interdependent" because all depend on crops originating from other

countries. Most of the plant genetic resources are found in tropical and semi-tropical

countries, not in the "industrial north". It is why agrobiodiversity always requires human,

active and, continuous, management. Agriculture has emerged independently on several

continents. Today, we estimate about 391,000 known vascularized plants, but only

31,000 are used by humans, and only 5,000 participate in humans’ diet. Merely, 20 plants

provide the majority of the world's food (cereal, root, tuber, legume). From the origin of

agriculture, it is associated with a depletion of genetic diversity in cultivated plants and

domesticated animals compared to wild relatives. Despite this low genetic diversity, the

diffusion of domesticated plants has created a high level of agrobiodiversity.

Nevertheless, the development of commercial varieties has greatly reduced the diversity

cultivated.

Cultivated diversity and diversity of crop wild relatives allow adaptation to

climate change. However, we earn a great risk of extinction of these wild relatives today.

Moreover, cultivating the diversity alone will not be enough to adapt to global changes,

given the magnitude of the change phenomena. It is why inter-specific diversity is a

central axis of agroecology for promoting the diversification of cropping systems to take

advantage of the complementarities and synergies between varieties and species,

maximizing ecosystem services while limiting negative externalities at different spatial

scales. Associated crops can provide higher yields while maintaining less weeds.

Ecological landscape approaches confer new opportunities for agriculture sustainability.

Pests and auxiliaries are mobile in the landscape, so the simple landscapes host fewer

auxiliaries and are more susceptible to infestations.

Ecosystemic and biocultural diversity are key issues for agroecology and

agrobiodiversity. The importance of an agro-ecosystemic approach with local

ix Didier Bazile

ISSN 2564-4653 | Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology | vol.01, no.01 (November 2021): vii-ix | Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010100

stakeholders is the key for considering and integrating that cultivated diversity and

cultural diversity are interrelated. Social organizations influence the dynamics of

cultivated biodiversity. The agroecosystem reflects an organization of different activities

and crops in space.

The spatial organization of agrarian societies defines a diversity of agro-

ecosystems that reflect not only an adaptation to the environment but also particular

social rules. The agricultures of the South do not compartmentalize living organisms

according to western wild/cultivated components but consider them in a continuum of

which they perceive the flows [of genes] and integrate them into their agricultural

practices. The new forms of biodiversity governance at different scales must take into

account local rules and customs, in order to respect farmers' rights and facilitate dialogue

between actors with multiple interests. The multiple dimensions of biodiversity make it

a biological, social and political object at the same time, which requires a real dialogue

between the different parties for its conservation. This representation of life defines a

particular relationship with nature that we must understand in order to build on it and

better support the adaptation of family farms to the global changes underway.

These elements reflect the general direction we want to give to this new journal

Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology (A&A). It is much more than two concepts. The

perspective of the journal A&A is to renew and to consolidate their link publishing

integrated approaches of biodiversity in agricultural systems from all around the world.

Acting as Editor-in-Chief, I want to be inclusive by giving the opportunity to researchers

from the South to publish in a journal without any fees for the open-access for

disseminating their work and being connected to the international community of A&A.

This opportunity to publish in the journal is also open to farmers' organizations and

NGOs for being really represented as co-authors with any researcher acting with them

in participatory research for presenting together their viewpoints on the research.

I would like to wish the authors bring a sustainable and evidence-based content to

the future articles. The Scientific Editorial Board, following the principles of the

academic integrity, will support and encourage authors for innovative and promising

articles.

I wish all the success and inspiration to the authors and journal staff.

References

FAO (1997). The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and

Agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), Rome, Italy.

Available online at: https://www.fao.org/3/w7324e/w7324e.pdf [Accessed on 23

October 2021]

Jackson, L., Bawa, K., Pascual, U. and Perrings, C. (2005). agroBIODIVERSITY: A

new science agenda for biodiversity in support of sustainable agroecosystems.

DIVERSITAS report No. 4. Paris, France, 40 pp.

https://www.fao.org/3/w7324e/w7324e.pdf

How to cite this paper:

Mylliemngap, W. (2021).

Agrobiodiversity and Natural

Resource Management in

Traditional Agricultural Systems

of Northeast India.

Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology,

01(01): 1-23. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010101

Received: 07 September 2021

Reviewed: 30 September 2021

Accepted: 02 October 2021






taken authors and institutional

affiliations.





y/4.0/

Editor-in-Chief:








Abstract North-East India, which falls under the Indian Eastern Himalayan region and forms part

of two global biodiversity hotspots, is well-known for its rich diversity of flora, fauna,

cultures and traditional knowledge systems. Agriculture is the main occupation of the

communities living in this region supplemented by utilization of wild useful species

from the nearby forests. Traditional agriculture in North-East India follows mixed

cropping pattern through multi-cropping, crop rotation, use of multipurpose nitrogen

(N)-fixing trees, along with protection of semi-domesticated and wild biodiversity,

including medicinal plants, wild edible fruits and vegetables, fodder plants and other

useful species. Presently, there has been a gradual shifting from subsistence cultivation

to commercial agriculture driven by market forces and modernization, leading to

transition from traditional to intensive agriculture and monoculture of cash crops. This

has resulted in reduced cultivation of local crop varieties and disappearance of the

associated traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Therefore, the present study

attempts to review the contribution of traditional agricultural practices to

agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. Relevant

traditional practices such as shifting (Jhum) cultivation systems, bamboo-drip irrigation,

paddy-cum-fish cultivation, traditional agroforestry systems of different Indigenous

communities residing in different states of North-East India were mentioned in this

review. It is undeniable that TEK was developed by communities through many

centuries by trial-and-error methods to conform to the local climate, topography,

ecology and socio-cultural relevance to the concerned Indigenous communities. This

knowledge, therefore, has a great scope for improvement by integration with scientific

knowledge for transforming into sustainable agricultural systems in the face of climate

change adaptation and mitigation of the vulnerable mountain communities of the

Himalayan region.

Keywords Indigenous communities; Agriculture; Traditional knowledge; Sustainable farming;

Conservation

M – 00254 | Review Article

ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021




Agrobiodiversity and Natural Resource Management in Traditional Agricultural

Systems of Northeast India

Wishfully Mylliemngap North-East Regional Centre, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Itanagar-791113, Arunachal Pradesh, India.


2 Wishfully Mylliemngap

ISSN 2564-4653 | Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology | vol.01, no.01 (November 2021): 1-23 | Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010101

1. Introduction

Agricultural biodiversity or agrobiodiversity has been defined by the Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO) as “The variety and variability of animals, plants and

micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, including

crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. It comprises the diversity of genetic resources

(varieties, breeds) and species used for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It

also includes the diversity of non-harvested species that support production (soil micro-

organisms, predators, pollinators), and those in the wider environment that support

agroecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic) as well as the diversity of

the agroecosystems” (FAO, 1999). In short, agrobiodiversity constitutes the biodiversity

components that contribute to food and agriculture, which includes genetic resources of

crops and livestock as well as of other plants, animals, and microorganisms sustaining

the structure and functions of the agroecosystems. Agrobiodiversity has been reported

to contribute to agricultural productivity and food security, stability of farming systems

and reduce pressure of agriculture on fragile areas, forests and endangered species

(Thrupp, 2000) and can enhance human food diversity and nutrition (Remans et al.,

2014). Recent works reported that food crops obtained from traditional cultivars and

non-cultivated plants gathered from diverse ecosystems which compose many local diets

globally, contain higher nutrient content (FAO, 2010). In addition to providing food and

livelihood, agrobiodiversity is also a source of other material requirements such as

clothing, shelter, medicines, new breeding varieties, and ecosystem services including

maintenance of soil fertility and biota, soil and water conservation (CBD, 2018). For

example, wild relatives of crops have been found to provide several desirable traits such

as disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, quality improvements and yield increases

which have proved to be valuable in agriculture breeding programmes (Tyack et al.,

2020). The use of cover crops in agroecosystems can provide regulating ecosystem

services such as nutrient cycling, water storage, improvement of water quality, decreased

erosion, weed and pest control and carbon sequestration (Dabney et al., 2001; Schipanski

et al., 2014; Frasier et al., 2016; Pinto et al., 2017). Additionally, there may be a heritage

and cultural value of traditional agroecosystems and the species contained in them in

different parts of the world (Qiyi et al., 2009), that even though they may not be directly

useful to people now; yet the present generation would like to preserve them for

posterity.

Cochrane (1975) defined traditional agriculture as “the customary methods of

earning a living from the land that have been handed down to posterity by word of mouth

or by practice and have, therefore, withstood the test of time”. Traditional agricultural

practices have been developed over many centuries by local communities taking

cognizance of the local biodiversity, topography, climate and socio-cultural set up, and

has been a source of livelihood for people in many regions of the world (Pulido and

Bocco, 2003; Koohafkan and Altieri, 2010). The Indigenous knowledge evolved from

these agricultural systems is usually very rich and detailed comprising of knowledge on

plants use, soil types and land use classification, micro-climate and being developed by

local communities not only through observation of nature but also through ‘trial-and-

error’ experimentations in the field. Even with the advancement of modern agriculture,

many of these traditional agricultural (TA) practices are still in existence today in many

parts of the world. Traditional agricultural (TA) systems have been known to contribute

to conservation of biodiversity including agrobiodiversity (Atlieri, 2004) and were also

considered as being of paramount importance for preventing species loss (Eriksson,

2021). In TA systems, farmers employed numerous Indigenous practices for utilization,

enhancement, and conservation of the biodiversity (Atlieri, 2004; Koohafkaan, 2012).



Traditional varieties and landraces of many major and minor crops are cultivated by

farmers, thus, enhancing more diversity in production systems, which is conducive to

sustainable agricultural development. TA systems maintain high genetic diversity that

occur due to natural interspecific and inter-varietal breeding among crop plants (Elias et

al., 2001).

In present days, TA is facing different kinds of threats such as low economic

viability, people’s migration, climate change as well as replacement by modern

extensive agriculture. Consequently, there is gradual abandonment of these practices

leading to loss of valuable Indigenous crop varieties and the associated traditional

knowledge embedded within these practices. Responding to these global threats, the

FAO in 2002 launched a programme known as GIAHS-Globally Important Agricultural

Heritage Systems, aimed to conserve and help in adaptive management of TA systems

having outstanding values (FAO, 2018). Nevertheless, TA is receiving significant

attention nowadays as a sustainable alternative to industrial farming (Fraser et al., 2015)

especially for developing a climate-smart food production system (Singh and Singh,

2017). In comparison to modern extensive agriculture, which is mainly focused on

maximizing production, TA has been considered as more sustainable practice since it

involves use of local knowledge and locally available resources, minimal use of external

inorganic inputs, recycling of agricultural and other wastes through composting and

adaptive measures to extreme climatic events (Altieri et al., 1987, 2015; Schiere and

Kater, 2001; Naylor et al., 2005; Anex et al., 2007; Ellis and Wang, 1997; Denevan,

1995). Use of organic inputs enhances soil health through nutrient enrichment and

diversity of soil microbiota (Koohafkan and Altieri, 2010). Crop residue management

and reduced tillage characteristic of TA systems improve C sequestration in soils

(Aguilera et al., 2013) that can potentially contribute to mitigation of GHGs emission

(Sanz-Cobena et al., 2017). Moreover, mixed cropping practiced in TA diversify the

food systems and reduces risks due to crop failure, insect and pest attacks (Patel et al.,

2019; Sauerborn et al., 2000). Armitage (2003) identified that maintaining traditional

agroecological systems along with the associated adaptive resource management

strategies used by local groups is one of the opportunities to enhance conservation. Coeto

et al. (2019) indicated that the ecological and cultural resilience of agroecosystems of

Mexico were higher when there is sufficient transmission of the biocultural legacy from

the ancestors and the attachment of peasant families to it. Similarly, in the Indian

Himalayan Region (IHR), Chandra et al. (2010) suggested that agroecosystems with

traditional crops are more ecologically and economically viable and important for food

security, thus, contributing to long-term sustainability of agroecosystems and

conservation and management of the surrounding landscape. Anthropological and

ecological research conducted on traditional agriculture showed that most Indigenous

modes of production exhibit a strong ecological basis and contribute towards the

regeneration and preservation of natural resources (Denevan, 2001).

The North-Eastern region of India lies between 22° to 29°5’N latitudes and 88°E

to 97°30’ E longitudes and covers an area of about 262,379 sq. km. It is composed of 8

states, viz., Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,

Tripura and Sikkim and shares international boundary with 4 countries, viz., Bangladesh,

Myanmar, Bhutan and China (Figure 1). Physiographically, the region can be

categorised as the Indian Eastern Himalayas covering about 52% of the entire Eastern

Himalayas. The Eastern Himalayan region has been recognised as a ‘Centre of Plant

Biodiversity’ and ‘Eastern Asiatic Regional Centre for Endemism’ (Wikramanayake,

2002). The convergence of the Indo-Malayan and Palearctic biogeographical realms in

the landscape has resulted in rich flora and fauna (CEPF, 2005; Hua, 2012). The North-

Eastern region of India comprises both the Himalayan and Indo-Burma global



biodiversity hotspots. About 50% of the total flowering plants found in India have been

known to occur here, out of which 40% are endemic species. Moreover, it was reported

that the region is a place of origin of wild relatives of 132 economically important

species including important and notable species of citrus, banana, rice, sugarcane, and

pulses (Mao et al., 2009). Therefore, the region has been recognized by the ICAR-

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) as being rich in wild relatives of

crops. The region has been identified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research

(ICAR) as a ‘centre of rice germplasm’. The region harbours a wide range of rice

diversity estimated at 9,650 varieties and their wild relatives adapted to different

environments such as upland, lowland, deep-water (Hore and Sharma, 1995). It was

reported that a total 2,639 accessions of rice germplasms, including their wild relatives,

have been collected from the region between 1985 to 2002 (Hore, 2005).

Figure 1: Map showing the location of North-eastern region of India (modified from

https://d-maps.com/)

In addition to its rich biodiversity, the region is also culturally diverse with over 46

million people (Census of India 2011) belonging to more than 200 culturally distinct

ethnic communities. Rain-fed agriculture is the main livelihood source of these

communities supplemented by gathering of wild edible fruits and vegetables from nearby

forests and farm fallows for self-consumption or additional income. The traditional

ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with these practices is preserved in the form of

stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, beliefs, rituals, customary laws, and other forms of oral

traditions. The TA practices of this region varies from one community to another

depending on the inherent TEK, socio-cultural set up and environmental and

topographical conditions of the place. A number of TA practices such as paddy-cum-fish

cultivation of Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, Zabo system and Alder-based

agriculture in Nagaland, large cardamom agroforestry in Sikkim, Bamboo drip irrigation

in Meghalaya are still prevalent till the present days indicating that they are sustainable,

viable as well as cost-effective (De, 2021). However, with the advent of modernization

and rush towards a cash economy, a large number of TA systems have been converted to

intensive agriculture, monoculture cultivation and cash crop plantations. Moreover,

traditional crops including local varieties of grains and vegetables are being slowly



replaced by high yielding varieties leading to gradual disappearance of many Indigenous

crops.

From the above review of literature, it is clear that TA has the potential to

contribute towards sustainability and resilience of ecosystems as well as in conservation

of biodiversity. Therefore, the present study attempts to emphasize the importance of

traditional agricultural systems of Northeast India for the conservation of

agrobiodiversity as well as conservation and management of natural resources such as

soil, water, and land. The traditional ecological knowledge involved in TAs has a great

scope for improvement by integration with scientific knowledge to develop sustainable

agriculture especially for the climate change adaptation and mitigation of the vulnerable

mountain communities of the Himalayan region.

2. Traditional Agricultural Systems

2.1 Shifting (Jhum) Cultivation Systems

Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn, swidden or rotational bush

fallow agriculture, is one of the most ancient farming systems believed to have

originated in the Neolithic period 8,000 B.C. This practice is prevalent mostly in the

mountainous and hilly regions of Central Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia (van

Vliet et al., 2012). It is a process of cultivation in which a patch of forest is cleared

completely, the debris is left to dry and then burnt after which the land is used for

cultivation for 1-2 years. At the end of the cropping period, the land is left fallow for a

certain number of years ranging from 3-5 years to over 10-15 years or more, during

which natural regeneration of vegetation takes place. After the fallow period is over

when sufficient growth of forest is obtained the same land is again cleared for cultivation

and the cycle is repeated. Shifting cultivation involves rotation of fields rather than

rotation of crops. The important features of this agricultural practice include no tillage,

use of primitive tools like dribbling sticks and hoes, dependence on manual labour,

absence of manuring and irrigation and short-term use of land followed by long fallow

period. It is a form of subsistence agriculture whereby a farmer grows different types of

food crops mostly for household consumption while the surplus produce is either

bartered for other goods or sold for a little cash income. The merits and demerits of

Jhum cultivation have been a subject of debate among the scientific community

worldwide for a few decades now (Fox, 2000; Mertz, 2002; Mertz et al., 2009; Pedroso-

Junior et al., 2009). However, no clear consensus has emerged so far regarding its

sustainability or ecological influences (Ribeiro Filho et al., 2013).

In North-East India, shifting cultivation, is popularly known as Jhum cultivation

and is prevalent in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya,

Tripura and hill districts of Assam (Figure 2). It is an inseparable part of the socio-

cultural life of the local communities and most of their religious rites and rituals and

community festivals revolve around this practice (Teegalapalli and Datta, 2016;

Priyadarshni, 1995). It is practiced in community land on hilly forest tracts. The

traditional head of the village along with village elders are responsible for allotment of

Jhum plots to each household. It involves the usual process of forest clearing, burning,

cultivation and fallow. Land clearing, sowing and harvesting are generally carried out

with community participation, except in rare occasions where activities were done by

the members of family to which the particular plot is allotted. The cultivation pattern

involves mixed cropping where different types of crops are grown on the same plot. The

type of crops grown varies among tribes and locations. Commonly, staple food grains

like paddy, maize, and millets are grown along with legumes, root and tuber crops and

leafy vegetables. These crops have different harvesting seasons, thereby, providing a



continuous source of food supply throughout the year. The abandoned fallow fields

continue to provide different resources intermittently in the form of residual crops, wild

and semi-domesticated edible fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants, etc. Therefore,

Jhum cultivation has been a source of sustenance and livelihood for the people in the

region especially those living in the remote areas where there are limited means of

communication and market linkages.

2.1.1 Agrobiodiversity of shifting cultivation systems

Jhum cultivation systems follow multi-cropping pattern with minimum tillage.

Paddy, maize and millets are the major crops grown along with pulses, Colocasia,

pumpkin, cucumber, and other food crops (Dollo et al., 2005). In Nagaland, the alder

based Jhum cultivation is well-known. In this system the nitrogen fixing Alnus

nepalensis trees are maintained in the Jhum plots and pollarded at 1-2 m above the

ground level. The lopped branches and leaves are burned on the field after which the

soil prepared for cultivation. The major crops/vegetables grown are millets, Job’s tear,

maize, potato, tomato, chilli, cabbage, cauliflower, squash, cucumber, ginger, French

bean, soybean and pea. In the Jhum cultivation of the Nocte and Wancho tribes of

Arunachal Pradesh, a total of 60 species of crop plants were reported belonging to 25

families, the maximum number of crops being from the families Cucurbitaceae,

Poaceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae and Dioscoreaceae (Bhuyan and Teyang, 2015).

Teegalapalli and Datta (2016) estimated that around 7 varieties of rice, 2 types of millets

and 30 different types of vegetables along with yam, sweet potato, corn and sugarcane

were grown by the Adi tribe of Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Bhuyan et

al. (2012) reported 39 crop species from 14 families cultivated in Jhum fields of Adi

tribe residing in East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. Similarly, Nocte tribe of

Arunachal Pradesh were cultivating up to 20 species in their Jhum field (Tangjang,

2009). Additionally, one study in certain Jhum fields of North-East India reported rich

diversity of as many as 12 species of Solanum, 9 species of chillies and 18 species of

Cucurbitaceae (Asati and Yadav, 2004) while another recorded about 22 important crop

species (Dikshit and Dikshit, 2004).

Figure 2: A freshly cleared and burned shifting cultivation patch in Nagaland (Photo

credit: Anup K. Das)



Besides crop diversity, Jhum fallows also serve as a habitat for wildlife as well as

wild useful species such as medicinal plants, wild edible plants, fodder plants and alike.

Studies in and around the Dampa Reserve Forest in Mizoram revealed that the diversity

of bird species in Jhum sites were more similar to rainforest than were monocultures

(Mandal and Raman, 2016). They also argued that rapid recovery of dense and diverse

secondary bamboo forests during fallow periods makes the shifting agricultural

landscape mosaic a better form of land use for bird conservation than monocultures.

2.1.2 Resource management in shifting cultivation systems

In Alder-based Jhum cultivation of Nagaland, the alder trees were not cut

completely but managed in the Jhum field for several years. These actinorhizal N-fixing

trees enrich the soil with nitrogen, thus maintaining fertility of the soil. Studies have

found that these soils were rich in nutrients and harbour very high active microbial

populations making the soil more productive (Giri et al., 2018). Besides, the trees are

also multipurpose, the pollarded branches being used for timber and fuel while the fallen

leaves enrich the soil with organic matter and helps in recovery of soil during the fallow

period.

Another method of soil management in Jhum cultivation is an indigenous technique

of soil erosion control by farmers in Wokha district of Nagaland by construction of a

structure known as Echo in the local language (Figure 3). Echo consists of short bamboo

barricades strategically placed horizontally across the slope in Jhum fields to reduce water

runoff and check soil erosion. The structure generally lasts up to 3 years or sometimes up

to 5 years. Scientific studies carried on efficiency of Echo for soil erosion control revealed

that the structure could retain soil about 229.5 t/ha/yr in the first year, about 153.0 t/ha/yr

in the second year and about 91.8 t/ha/yr in the third year (Singh et al., 2016). Application

of traditional knowledge and skills on Echo along with scientific improvisation of the

technique can be a good option for sustainable management of land and soil resources in

the vast Jhum area of the state as well as the whole region. The technique can also be

adopted in other agricultural areas with steep topography.

Figure 3: Echo, a traditional method of soil erosion control in shifting cultivation fields

in Wokha district of Nagaland (Photo credit: Anup K. Das)



Traditional practice of soil erosion control in shifting cultivation locally called

Paneng or Panpeng is unique to Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Adi is one of the largest

tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh inhabiting the districts of East Siang, Upper

Siang, West Siang and Western part of Lower Dibang Valley. They trace their origin

from Tanii, ‘the first human being’ which they regarded as Abo Tanii (Abo meaning

‘father’ in their local dialect). They are comprised of more than 30 sub-tribes. Historians,

anthropologists, and scholars believed that the tribe has migrated from Tibetan province.

Paneng or Panpeng is a traditionally developed method of using logs of wood to reduce

surface runoff during rainy season and check soil erosion. In this method, unburnt or

half-burnt logs felled and burnt during the slashing of field were laid parallel to each

other against the slope gradient to reduce the force of water flow and prevent the topsoil

from being washed away. The structure is strengthened by wooden poles locally called

Sipit/Hipit or wooden stumps called Hiir. Uprooted weeds from the field were also

dumped alongside the logs which further enhance the efficacy of controlling soil

erosion. In addition, the Panpeng also help block any stone or gravel falling from upper

slope that may damage the crops (Samal et al., 2019).

2.2. Paddy-cum-fish Cultivation

2.2.1 Agrobiodiversity in paddy-cum-fish cultivation

Paddy-cum-fish cultivation is an Indigenous organised farming method of the

Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh locally known as Aji-ngyii: Aji meaning cultivation

and ngyii meaning fish (Figure 4). The practice was considered to be one of the most

productive and efficient agricultural systems of the region (Nimachow et al., 2010). The

practice involves integration of wet-rice cultivation with Indigenous millet (Eleusine

coracana) and fish rearing on the same field. While paddy is grown on the field, millet

is grown along the bunds surrounding the rice fields. Houttuynia cordata, an edible herb

growing wild on the lower sides of bunds is not weeded out, but retained, to act as soil

binder to further strengthen the bunds. About 16 local varieties of rice and 4 millet

varieties, classified into early- and late- maturing varieties, have been reported to be

grown in the wet-rice farming systems (Kala, 2008; Dollo et al., 2009) (Table 1).

Different types of fish were also reared on the standing water of the rice fields.

Additionally, shallow trenches were dug inside the paddy terraces. During monsoon

season when water supply is abundant, the water in the paddy field is maintained at

about 5 to 10 cm and fishes can move all over the rice fields. During the drier period

when water is scarce, water remains only in the trenches where fishes retreat and

continue to grow. Manuring of paddy fields also act as nutrition source for the fishes, as

such there is no requirement for additional fish feeds. In this system, both paddy and

fishes are produced together by proper management of rainwater (Rai, 2004). Different

species of Indigenous fishes such as tali ngiyi (Channa spp.), papi ngiyi (Puntius spp.),

ngilyang ngiyi (Schizothorax spp.), tabu ngiyi (eels), ribu (Nemaucheilus), ngiyi papi

(dorikona or weed fish) were found naturally occurring in the stream draining the paddy

fields are raised in the system. Other commercial species were introduced by the state

government such as common carp (Cyprinus caprio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthyes

molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Labeo gonius and Barbonymus

gonionotus. However, the common carp remains the most reared species and the success

rates is also found to be higher than the other varieties of fish (Nimachow et al., 2010).



Figure 4: Paddy-cum-fish cultivation, Indigenous farming method of the Apatani tribe

of Arunachal Pradesh (Photo credit: Tilling Rinya)

Table 1: Different landraces of paddy and millet cultivated by Apatani of Arunachal

Pradesh (Source: Kala 2008; Dollo et al., 2009)

Land races Early maturing variety Late maturing variety

Paddy (Oryza sativa)

1. Eamo Ampu Ahare (most

commonly cultivated)

Ampu Hatte (rarely

cultivated)

Radhe Eamo (rarely

cultivated)

Eylang Eamo (most


Ampu Puloo Hatte (extinct)

2. Mipye

(i) Pyate Mipye Kogii Pyate (commonly

cultivated)

Zeehe Pyate (rarely

cultivated)

Pyate Pyapu (rarely

cultivated)

(ii) Pyaping Mipye Tepe Pyaping (most


Pyapu Pyaping (rarely

cultivated)

Kogii Pyaping (rarely

cultivated)

Zeehe Pyaping (rarely

cultivated)

Pyare Mipye (cultivated

near settlements)

Mishang Mipye (rarely

cultivated)



Land races Early maturing variety Late maturing variety

Mithu Mipye (commonly

cultivated)

Eylang Mipye (rarely

cultivated)

Millet (Eleusine coracana)

Sarse Surpu Ahare (commonly

cultivated)

Sartii (rarely cultivated)

Ahki sarse (rarely cultivated)

Surpu Latha (most


2.2.2 Water resource management in paddy-cum-fish cultivation

The whole Apatani plateau is devoid of any big river or water body and depend on

few small rivulets or streams for irrigating agricultural fields. As the community practices

wet rice cultivation along with fish rearing, stagnant water is essential in their agricultural

field for a period of 4-5 months. This has made the community to search for an ingenious

way to utilize the water of existing springs and streams efficiently and also to harvest and

store the rainwater. With local skills and knowledge, the community has developed a well-

designed system of channelizing the water from streams and rainwater to their agricultural

field. The water from stream is blocked at an appropriate elevation with barriers (Borang)

made of locally available wood and bamboo. The stored water is then channelized through

canals locally called Sugang into each and every agricultural field. Maintenance and repair

of the Sugangs were done by the beneficiaries of the community. The water thus brought

to the fields is retained with the help of bunds called Agber. In each field, water is retained

at a desired level, above which an outlet made of bamboo pipe is built to drain the excess

water into the adjacent field situated at a lower level. The stepwise distribution of water to

all the field is maintained, and the excess water drained out from each field blocks are

further channelized towards a common final outlet.

Paddy-cum-fish cultivation is also practiced in other northeastern states, mainly

in the valley area of Manipur. In this system, trenches called “Kom” with a width of 4-5

metres (depending upon size of the paddy field) were dug in one side or along the whole

boundary of paddy field. This Kom is filled with water where fish farming is carried out

and the middle portion of the area is left for paddy. This practice has been carried out in

almost every household since time immemorial and is very effective in terms of

production and economic value.

2.3 Traditional Agroforestry System and Homestead Gardens

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recognised

agroforestry systems as one among the potential land uses important for food security

and carbon sequestration contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation

(IPCC, 2019). In northeast India, agroforestry has been an integral part of traditional

agriculture of the indigenous communities. Traditional agroforestry systems can be

regarded as close-to-nature ecosystems providing ecosystem services similar to the

forests such as the biodiversity, provision of food and fibre, water resources and its

purification, climate regulation and carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, primary

production, production of oxygen, and soil formation, and recreation and the cultural

services. The large cardamom-based agroforestry systems of Sikkim consist of a variety

of shade tree species such as Schima wallichii, Engelhardtia acerifolia, Eurya

acuminata, Leucosceptrum canum, Maesa chisia, Symplocos theifolia, Ficus nemoralis,

F. hookeri, Nyssa sessiliflora, Osbeckia paniculata, Viburnum cordifolium, Litsea



polyantha, Macaranga pustulata, and Alnus nepalensis, hence, supporting conservation

of tree biodiversity (Sharma et al., 1994). Sharma et al. (2007) studied the large

cardamom-based agroforestry of Sikkim and observed that these systems accelerate the

nutrient cycling, increase soil fertility and productivity, reduce soil erosion, conserve

biodiversity, conserve water and soil, serve as carbon sink, improves the living standards

of the communities by increasing the farm incomes and also provides aesthetic values

for the mountain societies.

Traditional agroforestry of the Nyshi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh was found to

harbour up to 80 species of useful plants of which 47 species were food plants, 21

species medicinal and 31 species used for other purposes (Deb et al., 2009). These

agroforestry systems were multi-storeyed, the top canopy comprising of Livistona

jenkinsiana, Grevillea robusta, etc., the sub-canopy is dominated by Artocarpus

heterophyllus, Mangifera indica while the middle storey was dominated by fruit trees

such as papaya, guava and citrus species. The forest floor species mainly comprise of

pineapple and vegetable crops. In addition to these, wild herb species used as food and

medicine such as Ageratum conyzoides, Spilanthes sp. and other Asteraceae species also

form part of the ground vegetation.

In Meghalaya, important horticultural crops grown in the home gardens and

agroforestry systems include orange (Citrus reticulata), pineapple (Ananas comosus),

lemon (Citrus limon), guava (Psidium guajava), jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

and bananas (Musa sp.). Intercropping of arecanut (Areca catechu), betel leaf (Piper

betle) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) are the chief commercial crops commonly found

in the agroforestry systems in the southern slopes of the state. Tynsong et al. (2018)

reported rich plant diversity species in this agroforestry system comprising of 94 tree

species, 17 species of shrubs and 48 herb species.

The pond-based agroforestry is a type of integrated farming system followed by

the farmers in plains of Assam, Manipur, South Garo hills of Meghalaya and Tripura to

meet the demands for food supply and their livelihood options. This is often a very

common practice in each household of these places to have a farm pond where fruit

crops like banana, arecanut, vegetable garden, etc., are maintained in the embankment

or nearby uplands of the pond. The ponds are being used for pisciculture and during the

lean season, the pond water is used for irrigation of crops and fruit trees. Rearing of

animals such as cow, pig, buffalo or goat as well as farming local poultry is also

practiced. Vegetable waste from the nearby garden and home are either made into

compost or added to the pond as feed for the fishes like grass carps. Paddy is then

cultivated in the lowland areas.

The homestead garden is a traditional practice found to be practiced in most of

the states. The homestead gardens are generally located close to the house and used for

growing vegetables, fruits and other food crops required for the family. A wide variety

of crops are grown throughout the year in homestead gardens including potato, cabbage,

chilli, tomato, beans, carrot, onion, garlic, etc.

2.4 Bamboo Drip Irrigation

The Bamboo drip irrigation system (Figure 5) is an ingenious method of irrigation

by the Indigenous communities residing in the War Jaintia areas in Jaintia Hills district

of Meghalaya. The people here practice agroforestry system of arecanut, black pepper

and betel leaf (Piper betel). Irrigation is needed for the betel vines and black pepper

crops during the winter season when water is scarce. This irrigation system is believed

to be around 200 years old. The practice has evolved to compensate with the steep and

undulating topography of the area which makes it difficult to construct ground irrigation

channels. This method utilizes the water from the uphill streams and springs and directs



it to the fields till it reached the base of the plant where water reduce to drops. Usually,

water sources are distant from plantation sites and so the main bamboo channel runs

several meters, sometimes even a couple of kilometres. The water is tapped from the

upper slopes which are then diverted to various parts of the field located in the lower

hill slopes through a system of secondary and tertiary bamboo channels. Channel

sections are made of bamboos of varying diameters, to control the water flow in such a

way that the water reaches the site in the lower reaches, where it is circulated without

spillage. The channels are supported by forked branches. The system is considered so

efficient that it was estimated that water entering the bamboo pipe at about 18-20 litres

per minute gets transported over several hundred metres through the intricate network

of channels till it finally gets reduced to about 20-80 drops per minute at the root of the

plant. The advantages of using bamboo are two-fold: it prevents leakage, increasing crop

yield with less water, and makes use of natural, local, and inexpensive material. As water

is applied locally, leaching is reduced (fertilisers/nutrients loss is minimised). Weed

growth and soil erosion is highly controlled and soil infiltration capacity is increased

(Ryngnga, 2016).

Figure 5: Bamboo drip irrigation in ‘War’ Jaintia area of Meghalaya (Photo credit:

B.R. Suchiang)

3. Discussions

This review presented a few of the unique TA practices of different communities

of North-eastern India that are still sustained till the present day. The probable

explanation for their continued existence is that the knowledge and practices have been

constantly evolved and modified by the concerned communities through their inherent

TEK to adapt to the ever-changing environment, climate, demography, resource

availability and various other natural and anthropogenic changes occurring around them.

Shifting cultivation though often regarded as unproductive and unsustainable,

several researchers in NE India have revealed its positive role on the environment.

Studies suggested that, in the shifting cultivation regime, there is optimal utilization of

natural resources, which is conducive to the stability and sustainability of agriculture in

the mountain ecosystems (Ramakrishnan, 1992). Bhuyan and Teyang (2015) opined that



Jhum cultivation of Nocte and Wancho tribes of Arunachal Pradesh is well adapted to

the local environment and ecological balance is maintained by mixed cropping of cereals

and tree crops in the same field. In Nagaland, Chase and Singh (2014) reported a decline

in soil fertility following conversion of natural forests to agricultural land use. However,

soil fertility of Alder-based Jhum fallows were similar to natural forests which implied

that agricultural land use with proper tree-crop management is ideal for maintaining

productivity and soil health. Bhagawati et al. (2015) studied the climate change

prospects of Jhum cultivation in NE India and observed that this agricultural system is

being practised based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) gained through years

of association with nature. This knowledge, instead of being threat to climate or

environment, can provide deeper insight into the many different aspects of sustainable

development and the interrelated role of local peoples and their cultures.

In spite of the positive reviews, many scholars have also pointed out the negative

impacts of shifting cultivation mainly due to the shortened fallow period. In some parts

of the region, reduction in fallow period from the traditional 15-20 years or 8-10 years

to about 3-4 years in recent times has also posed a threat to the sustainability of shifting

cultivation practices since the short fallow cannot allow sufficient recovery of soil and

vegetation before resuming cultivation in the same plot. Bera and Namasudra (2016)

reported negative impacts of shifting cultivation in Tripura such as destruction of forest,

threat of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, etc., which might have been

aggravated due to shortened fallow periods. Therefore, it is imperative to document the

good practices involved in this form of agriculture such as mixed cropping, high

agrobiodiversity, traditional methods of soil erosion control such as the Echo practised

by some communities in Nagaland and Paneng/Panpeng in Arunachal Pradesh.

Technical and scientific innovation to transform the system and reduce its negative

impact should be built around the existing traditional skills and knowledge so that the

changes can be easily adopted by the farmers. In some instances, adoption of site-

specific agro-based interventions has proved to be beneficial in augmenting productivity

of major crops and livestock, thus ensuring more income, employment and food security

(Kumar et al., 2016). In spite of certain crises that this agricultural system faces, proper

scientific research and appropriate policy supports can encourage this farming system

to provide adequate food and economic security for the peoples and motivate them to

conserve and enhance local crop diversity in the traditional environment (Bhuyan and

Teyang, 2015).

The traditional paddy-cum-fish agriculture of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal

Pradesh reflected the tribe’s ingenuity in achieving optimum utilization and

management of natural resource such as land, water and bioresources (Kala et al., 2008).

The system also has replication potential in other places with similar micro-ecological

conditions (Dollo, 2009). The integration of rice with fish along with other crops such

as millets enables low-cost practice needed for food security and nutritional security and

good income from a limited area (Baruah et al., 2019). In addition, cultivation of

different Indigenous varieties of rice and millets leads to the conservation of this

valuable genetic diversity. Rai (2005) reported that this agroecosystem is very advanced

and has exceptionally high economic and energy efficiency. In present days, there is

gradual modification of the traditional practices such use of iron and plastic pipes, and

concrete instead of locally available materials like bamboo and wood to build irrigation

canals and check dams, which may pose a threat to the health of the agroecosystem and

disappearance of community TEK (Dollo, 2009). Observations mentioned in table 1

revealed that, out of the 16 Indigenous varieties of paddy reported from this agricultural

system, only 5 varieties were commonly cultivated, while the rest were rarely or not

cultivated at present. Similarly, out of the 4 varieties of millets only two were commonly



cultivated while other 2 were rarely cultivated. These changing preferences in

cultivation of certain crop varieties over others may gradually decrease the number of

varieties cultivated in the TA system which may eventually lead to their extinction and

loss of a valuable genetic diversity.

Agroforestry, a type of land use where trees are grown alongside non-woody

crops in the same land (with or without livestock), has been adopted by the traditional

communities of North-East India to fulfil their multifarious needs of food, fodder, fuel,

medicinal plants as well as to generate income and ensure optimised use of land

resources. Large cardamom-based agroforestry systems of Sikkim have been found to

harbour a rich agrobiodiversity, increased farmers’ income as well as provide different

types of ecosystem services (Sharma et al., 2007). On the other hand, the pond-based

agroforestry of the plain areas of Assam, Manipur, South Garo hills of Meghalaya and

Tripura revealed the local knowledge of integrated farming system combining

agriculture, forestry, fishery and water management (Das et al., 2012). The practice

exhibited an efficient cycling of nutrients within the system through composting of crop

residues and vegetable wastes that are added back to the soil; vegetable waste is also

used as feed for fishes while the pond water is also used for irrigation during dry periods.

Similarly, the Indigenous arecanut, betel leaf and black pepper-based agroforestry of

Meghalaya have been found to be fairly sustainable with minimal impact on plant

diversity (Tynsong et al., 2018). In a study conducted in southern India, Hombegowda

et al. (2015) concluded that depleted soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks brought about by

the conversion of forest to agricultural land can be recovered by converting the same

land to agroforestry.

Bamboo drip irrigation is another Indigenous knowledge by the farmers of War

Jaintia in Meghalaya to solve the problem of irrigation in steep hill slopes with

undulating topography and manage water resource efficiently. This system has been

appreciated for its environment-friendliness since it requires no cutting down of trees or

shrubs in the forest area to build the irrigation channels. The irrigation system also has

potential for adoption in other upland farming systems including shifting cultivation

areas (Das et al., 2012). Another positive attribute of this system is its low cost of

construction and use of locally available material that is bamboo, and minimal labour

requirements. The system had lasted for decades which implies its sustainability and

social acceptability. Ryngnga (2016) opined that there is still scope for improving the

efficiency and durability of the system through use of modern scientific interventions,

of course, without diluting the existing Indigenous knowledge and skills developed by

the community through decades of experience.

In present day, TA still remains as a primary mean of food production system for

the rural community who substantially contributed to their food and nutritional security

and livelihood. On the other hand, with the aim to increase productivity of agricultural

systems to meet out the needs of the growing human population and market demands to

enhance farmers’ income and achieve self-sufficiency, different agricultural incentives

have been offered by governments and relevant line departments at national, regional or

local levels. These government schemes have motivated the people towards market-

oriented agriculture such as use of high yielding crop varieties, exotic crops in

horticulture and cash crop plantation and other non-farm activities. In response to the

changing needs and aspirations of the people there has been a gradual transformation of

TA practices to other unsustainable land uses. For instance, introduction of high yielding

varieties and exotic crops has necessitated the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides

that can pose a threat to the agroecosystem health in the long run. Similarly, increase in

cash crop cultivation has given rise to monoculture plantations and slowly replacing

food crop cultivation areas, thus leading to decline in agrobiodiversity and food security,



increase in risk through crop failure, pest and insect attacks and loss of ecosystem

services. Mylliemngap et al. (2016) observed that, in some villages of Upper Siang

district of Arunachal Pradesh, there has been gradual transition towards wet-rice

cultivation/terrace rice cultivation and cultivation of Kiwi fruit and large cardamom as

cash crops. This transformation has posed a threat to the agrobiodiversity where the

cultivation of local varieties of paddy and millets has reduced greatly and there is a fear

that already the region is losing of some important genetic resources in the meantime.

Nimasow et al. (2014) studied the sustainability of horticultural practices in West

Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh and suggested working out land suitability

analysis of various crops and generating awareness of climate change and its impact on

the global environment among the local people. Pal and Dasgupta (2014) appraised the

two farming systems of shifting cultivation and wet rice-cum-fish agriculture of the

Indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh who also support biodiversity

conservation through their practice. They suggested integration of traditional knowledge

with scientific methods and innovations for better sustainability of these practices. In

some instances, adoption of site-specific agro-based interventions has proved to be

beneficial in augmenting productivity of major crops and livestock, thus ensuring more

income, employment and food security.

4. Conclusion

The present review highlighted the underlying essence of different traditional

agricultural practices of the Indigenous communities of NE India in terms of

management and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources. Shifting cultivation

and traditional agroforestry systems were found to maintain a high level of

agrobiodiversity along with efficient management of soil fertility, soil erosion control

and supply of variable ecosystem services. On the other hand, paddy-cum-fish

cultivation exhibited an advanced integrated farming of paddy, millets and fish with

optimum utilization of land and an almost perfected irrigation channel system by tapping

the limited rain and stream water resources available in the Apatani plateau and storing

it to ensure adequate water for irrigation. The bamboo-drip irrigation revealed the

excellent skills and knowledge of the farmers to design and construct an intricate

irrigation system from locally available bamboo resources in the rough hilly terrains of

southern Meghalaya where construction of ground irrigation channels was not feasible.

The gradual transitions from TA system to modern commercial based farming would

result in the loss of associated traditional ecological knowledge, agrobiodiversity along

with its valuable genetic diversity and ecosystem services. Considering that TA is

closely associated with tribal livelihood prospective, specific approaches could be

implemented to strengthen the existing cultivation practice instead of imposing modern

intervention. Therefore, urgent concerted efforts are required to promote the sustainable

use and management of traditional farming systems by integration of TEK with

scientific knowledge through a multi-stakeholder approach in order to make

conservation efforts successful.

5. Acknowledgement

The author thanks the Director of the institute for the institutional facilities

provided during the research work. Thanks are also due to the Reviewer for the critical

comments and suggestions which has greatly helped improve the quality of the

manuscript. Portions of the data have been collected during the tenure of the projects



funded by DST, Govt. of India under NMSHE Task Force 3 & 5 projects, for which the

funding agency is gratefully acknowledged.

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research or analysis, collected the data, contributed to data analysis & interpretation,

wrote the article, performed critical revision of the article/paper, edited the article, and

supervised and administered the field work.

Funding

This research was partly funded by Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of

India under NMSHE Task Force 3 & 5 projects.

Research involving human bodies (Helsinki Declaration)

Has this research used human subjects for experimentation? No

Research involving animals (ARRIVE Checklist)

Has this research involved animal subjects for experimentation? No

Research involving Plants

During the research, the author followed the principles of the Convention on Biological

Diversity and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora. Yes

Research on Indigenous Peoples and/or Traditional Knowledge

Has this research involved Indigenous Peoples as participants or respondents? No

(Optional) PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-

Analyses)

Has author complied with PRISMA standards? Yes

Competing Interests/Conflict of Interest

Author has no competing financial, professional, or personal interests from other parties

or in publishing this manuscript.

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How to cite this paper: Khanal,

S., Ghimire, A., Acharya, A.,

Sapkota, A. and Adhikari, G.

(2021). Determinants of Gender

Division in Agricultural Works

and Agrobiodiversity Management

in Nepal. Agrobiodiversity &

Agroecology, 01(01): 24-46. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010102

Received: 16 June 2021

Reviewed: 29 July 2021

Accepted: 31 July 2021






taken by authors and institutional

affiliations.





y/4.0/

Editor-in-Chief:








Abstract This study was designed to assess the access of Nepalese farmers to the training and

extension service, gender division on agricultural work, and factors affecting

agrobiodiversity management activities. A total of 2,817 respondents were interviewed

at different locations throughout Nepal. The information was collected using the mWater

surveyor. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done. The respondents having

received training in agriculture were significantly higher among elite, educated, and

agricultural households. Access to extension facilities was significantly determined by

the type of household, ethnicity, occupation, and education of respondents. Male

domination in the choice of crops, land preparation, and seed selection were significantly

higher in male-headed households, marginalized groups, and agricultural households.

However, females were more likely to be involved in seed sowing. The male domination

in male-headed households were significantly higher for applying fertilizers, weeding,

irrigation, and pest control. Among elite ethnic groups, domination of males was

significantly higher for fertilizer application. The role of the male in agricultural

households was significantly higher in all aspects. One unit increase in the area increased

the likelihood of male involvement in irrigation by 30%. The males are likely to be more

involved in harvesting, sales of products, and control of income. Elite and educated

respondents coupled with access to training practiced more crop rotation compared to

the rest. The likelihood of practicing intercropping and mixed cropping was influenced

by extension facilities and training facilities. Elite groups and farmers with extension

facilities tended to practice more agroforestry. So, the types of households, education,

and ethnicity have a key role in the gender differentiation in agriculture operation.

Moreover, training and extension facilities help a lot in the conservation and practice of

agrobiodiversity. There is an urgent need in improving the women's role and overall

management of the agricultural landscape.

Keywords Gender; Domination; Agrobiodiversity; Improvement

M – 00255 | Research Article

ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021




Determinants of Gender Division in Agricultural Works and Agrobiodiversity

Management in Nepal

Subodh Khanal1, Asmita Ghimire2, Aastha Acharya3, Anisha Sapkota4, Gokarna Adhikari5 1Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Gauradaha Agriculture Campus, Nepal.

Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7326-3560 2Department of Agricultural Botany and Ecology, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Nepal.





*Corresponding author

mailto:[email protected]

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7326-3560


https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0454-7524


https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1244-1842


https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-6495


https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8866-0350

25 Subodh Khanal, Asmita Ghimire, Aastha Acharya, Anisha Sapkota, Gokarna Adhikari

ISSN 2564-4653 | Agrobiodiversity & Agroecology | vol.01, No.01 (November 2021): 24-46 | Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010102

1. Introduction

Nepal occupies only 0.03% of the world's total area and yet harbors over 3.2% of

the world's known flora and 1.1% of the world's known fauna (GoN/MoFSc, 2014). With

118 types of ecosystems and classification of 75 types of vegetation, 35 types of forest

and 5 types of rangelands make Nepal a part of the world’s biodiversity hotspot (CBD,

undated). A total of 24,300 species are reported of which 28% (6,618 species) are

agricultural species. The species richness of agricultural flora (2,833 species) is found

higher than agricultural fauna (3,785 species) (Joshi et al., 2020). Over 550 crop species

have been identified to have food values and about half of those species are being

cultivated in various regions of the country. Over 200 different species of vegetables are

grown and consumed in the country (Shrestha, 2013). Despite the wide range of

diversity, with rapid change in food habits of people the dependency of people in cereals

especially rice, maize, and wheat increasing tremendously which covers 83% of the total

cultivated land of the country (Hussain, n.d.; Joshi et al., 2019).

Agricultural biological diversity is considered a subset of biodiversity (FAO,

1999). This diversity is a result of continuous selection by nature along with careful

human selection and intervention. Agricultural diversity is not only closely linked with

the livelihoods and economic wellbeing of the majority of people but also promotes food

and nutritional security. Indigenous knowledge of local people, ethnic and cultural

diversities is an integral part of agrobiodiversity management. The dynamic and

complex livelihood of people highly depends upon the plant and animal diversity in both

wild and domesticated forms (FAO, 2005). Biodiversity conservation and management

involve the sustainable use of biological resources, which is often gendered. In most

farming systems, there is a division of labor among males and females that determines

their roles and responsibilities in farming. Generally, men are absent in most of the

production process as they have migrated to foreign countries to earn alternative income

leading to the active participation of women in household activities and an increase in

the workload of women (Giri and Darnhofer, 2010; Tobin and Aguilar, 2007;

Slavchevska et al., 2020).

The preferences of men and women including the utilization of biological

resources and conservation practices are not always the same. As women are more

actively involved than men in household activities, they have more knowledge about the

patterns and use of local biodiversity. They play important role in the selection,

improvement, adaptation, and management of a very diverse range of varieties, whereas

men prefer using these resources to earn income. Despite their contribution, women are

denied equal access to, and control over, natural resources, including agrobiodiversity

management (Bhattarai et al., 2015). This signifies that women's and men's roles and

knowledge of biodiversity conservation and management are not static (Khadka and

Verma, 2016). Agrobiodiversity management is not just affected by climate change and

gender relations but is also driven by socio-economic factors of the society like the

increased rate of out-migration of men resulting in the shortage of farm labor and an

increase in remittances allowing their families to use store-bought food from the market

resulting into the abandonment of traditional crops (Arora-Jonsson, 2011; UN Women,

2017). It should be widely accepted that failure to include women in decision-making

processes regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies not just

intensifies the problems of gender inequalities but also challenges the effectiveness of

management and conservation practices. This deprives us of achieving more equitable

and appropriate climate change policies and programs that favor proper agrobiodiversity

management practices (Esplen, 2008).



Thus, this study was conducted to find out the role of gender and other

socioeconomic variables in affecting the gender division of agricultural work. Also, this

study intends to find out the factors affecting the choice of agrobiodiversity management

activities with increasing cases of climate change.

2. Methodology

This study was conducted at various places in Nepal as shown in figure 1.

Around 150 students at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) were

employed as investigators and each student was responsible for surveying 30 household

in their locality. The selection of households was done using a simple random sampling

technique. The household survey was done by developing a questionnaire using the

mWater portal (https://portal.mwater.co) and data collection was done through the

mWater surveyor using smartphones. The survey was conducted by carrying out about

30 minutes of personal interviews with the informants. For the accuracy of the

information collected, the interview sites were at least 20 meters away from each other.

A total of 2,817 responses were obtained across the various locations of Nepal. The

sampling of respondents was done by convenient sampling method as respondents were

directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. Verbal consent was obtained from all

respondents before asking the questions. The confidentiality of information was

maintained. Personal identifiers were not collected, and any identifying information

taken accidentally was removed from the text during the processing of data. The data

processing was done in MS EXCEL that was then imported to Statistical Package for

Social Science (SPSS version 20) where analysis was performed. During the analysis,

both descriptive and inferential analysis were done as and when required. Descriptive

analysis included frequency, percentage, and mean value. Additionally, during

inferential analysis, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were done. The data

were interpreted and summarized into the tabulation form.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1 Basic Information of the Respondents

Among the household respondents, 53.1% were females and 46.9% were males.

84.3% of the households were male-headed and only 15.7% were female-headed

households. 20.3% of total households were illiterate, 21.6% could read and write,

20.5% received primary education, 23.6% received secondary education and 14%

received higher-level education. 54.8% were from elite groups1, 34.9% were

marginalized and touchable2 and 10.3% were of marginalized and untouchable groups3.

The greater numbers of respondents were found to have agriculture (67.1%) as a primary

source of occupation, followed by service (13.8%), remittance (9.8%), business (7.4%),

and others (1.9%). The average family size was 5.37. The average economically

dependent family members were 2.99. The landholding and area of cultivated land on

average were 0.56 ha and 0.43 ha, respectively (Table 1).

1 Elite group is upper caste group namely Hill Brahmin and Hill Chhetri. 2 Marginalized and touchable group is deprived of facilities enjoyed by elites. It includes ethnic groups

(Adibasi Janajati), Madhesis 3 Marginalized and untouchable group includes low caste people who are often regarded as untouchables

and are deprived of basic rights and social inclusion.

https://portal.mwater.co/



Figure 1: Sites of data collection

Table 1: Socio-demographic information of respondents

Gender

Male 1319(46.9)

Female 1492(53.1)

Type of household

Male headed 2372(84.3)

Female-headed 442(15.7)

Education status of household head

Illiterate 571(20.3)

Read and write 607(21.6)

Primary 575(20.5)

Secondary 663(23.6)

Higher 393(14)

Ethnic Groups

Elite (Bhramins and Chhetris) 1541(54.8)

Marginalized and touchable 983(34.9)

Marginalized and untouchable 290(10.3)

Primary source of occupation

Agriculture 1890(67.1)

Remittance 276(9.8)

Business 208(7.4)

Service 388(13.8)

Others 53(1.9)

Average family size 5.37



Average economically dependent family

members

2.99

Average area in hectare 0.56

Average area of cultivated land in hectare 0.43

Note: Figure in the parenthesis includes percentage

3.2 Engagement and Type of Farming

Engagement in farming was significantly affected by types of households (X2=5.61,

P<0.05), ethnicity (X2=12.44, P<0.01), and education (X2=26.24, P<0.001). Whereas the

engagement in farming was insignificant with respect to the type of farming, however, it

was significantly different in ethnicity (X2=62.78, P<0.001) and education level of

respondents (X2=19.14, P<0.05). Details about each group are given in table 2.

National statistics collected in 2014 by CBS show that the average area of land

owned by women is almost half (0.4 hectares) than that of men (0.7 hectares) (Central

Bureau of Statistics, 2014). Female-headed households reported for 19.7 percent of the

total agriculture landholders in 2011, an increase from 10.8 percent in 2001 (Sahavagi,

2015). However, due to the out-migration of male-head of the family for employment

opportunities, the number of female-headed households is increasing in recent times.

This condition has generated both challenges and opportunities for women regarding the

management of farms (Slavchevska et al., 2020). As male out-migration has increased,

the workload on women is leading some of the women giving up farming (Slavchevska

et al., 2020). In most cases, there is an increased women's participation in agricultural

production, market access and improving their leadership skills, leading to increment in

household income, food security, and independence (UN Women, 2017).

Table 2: Farmers engaged in farming and type of farming followed with respect to

gender, ethnicity, and education

Engagement

in farming

(yes)

Type of farming

Subsistence Semi-

commercial

Commercial

Types of households

Male headed 2199(92.8) 1565(72.6) 483(22.4) 107(5.0)

Female-headed 394(89.5) 299(77.5) 67(17.4) 20(5.2)

Chi square 5.61* 4.94ns

Ethnicity

Elite 1414(92) 947(68.3) 363(26.2) 76(5.5)

Marginalized and

touchable

924(94.1) 689(76.1) 168(18.6) 48(5.3)

Marginalized and

untouchable

255(87.9) 227(90.8) 20(8.0) 3(1.3)

Chi square 12.44** 62.78***

Education

Illiterate 422(90.4) 321(78.1) 74(18.0) 16(3.9)

Read/write 534(94.8) 413(78.4) 90(17.1) 24(4.6)

Primary 496(94.1) 335(69.4) 121(25.1) 27(5.6)

Secondary 515(94.3) 357(71.4) 116(23.2) 27(5.4)

Higher 627(88.7) 439(70.7) 149(24.0) 33(5.3)

Chi-square 26.24*** 19.14*

Note: Figure in the parenthesis includes percentage, *** = P<0.001, ** = P<0.01, * =

P<0.05 and ns = not significant



The majority of marginalized and untouchable households (90.8%) were engaged

in subsistence types of farming followed by semi-commercial (8%). The least percentage

(1.8%) of this group of households was found to be involved in commercial farming

(Table 2). This value indicates that the majority of the respondents were involved in

subsistence agriculture which is in line with the report published by FAO (2019).

Households involved in commercial farming were mostly elites followed by

marginalized and touchable. This condition is found due to larger landholdings of these

groups and accessibility of inputs. These groups are resource rich as compared to

marginalized groups of people (GoN, 2016). Due to these constraints, marginalized

people are more involved in subsistence farming due to fewer landholdings and

minimum capability to invest in inputs and resources. Also, due to the small and

fragmented landholdings of rural people, the commercialization of agriculture is being

difficult (Gharti and Hall, 2020).

As shown in table 2, 90.4% of illiterate, 94.8% with the ability to read and write,

94.1% with primary education, 94.3% with secondary education, and 88.7% with higher

education were engaged in farming. The engagement of farming was significantly

different with respect to the education status of the respondents. This relation was also

found significant (X2=19.14, P<0.05) with respect to types of farming. The majority of

farmers of the study area were involved in subsistence farming. In the case of

commercial farming, among the total respondents, the ones with primary level of

education were more involved in commercial farming (5.6%), followed by secondary

educated (5.4%), higher educated (5.3%), who could just read/write (4.6), and the least

involved were the respondents who were illiterate (3.9%). Uneducated groups of people

feel difficulty in understanding new technologies, production complexes and fail to

understand their profitability (Bhatta and Doppler, 2010). They resist change and are

comfortable with traditional subsistence farming practices (Ayandiji et al., 2009). Also,

this signifies the lack of interest in commercializing agriculture among highly educated

people for their livelihood or their out-migration to cities for employment (Neupane and

Poudel, 2021). People with primary education may be more open to possibilities,

responsive to new technology, and thus may show more interest in commercial

agriculture rather than getting involved in a full-time job.

Bhandari et al. (2015) found that most of the people in rural areas are illiterate

and are involved in agricultural activities. Mostly the women who belonged to the ethnic

groups (tribes) are found illiterate than the Brahmin/Chhetri (elite groups). The tribal

community is one of the disadvantaged communities of Nepal who are generally found

living in abject poverty (Patel, 2012). They generally have less access to resources and

capital, and, hence, follow the old culture of subsistence farming.

3.3 Factors Affecting Access to Training and Extension Services

Access to training on agriculture was found to be dependent on ethnicity, primary

occupation, and education of respondents. The access to training was 76% more likely

in elite groups as compared to marginalized groups (P<0.001). Moreover, respondents

with agriculture as a primary occupation are 44% more likely to have access to training

(P<0.001). Similarly, the access to training was 2.89 times more for educated

respondents (P<0.001). 7.7% variation in the dependent variable was explained by

independent variables. The model was found to be significant (X2=151.45, P<0.001).

74.3% of cases were correctly predicted (Table 3). This signifies elite groups have more

access to agricultural training as they have more influence in society than marginalized

ones (Dhital, 2017). Also, educated people keep updating themselves with new

techniques and show more interest in the participation of training programs than the

uneducated group of people (Ayandiji et al., 2009) In recent years, due to the



prioritization of women and marginalized people in training programs, their participation

is improving (UN Women, 2017).

Table 3: Odds ratio explaining the factors affecting the access of farmers to training on

agriculture and access to agricultural extension facilities

Training on agriculture Access to extension

Type of household (male

headed=1)

0.86ns 0.74*

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.76*** 1.73***

Occupation (Ag=1) 0.56*** 0.57**

Education (educated =1) 2.89*** 2.04***

Intercept 3.26*** 3.63***

Model Chi-square 151.45*** 119.89***

Nagelkerke R2 0.077 0.061

% correctly predicted 74.3 73.2

Note: *** = P<0.001, ** = P<0.01, * = P <0.05, ns = not significant

Similarly, access to extension facilities was governed by the type of household,

ethnicity, primary occupation, and education of respondents. The access to agricultural

extension facilities for males as compared to females were 26% more likely in male-

headed households to female-headed households. Also, marginalized groups are 73%

less likely to access such facilities in comparison to elite groups. Respondents from

agriculture as a primary occupation were 43% more likely (P<0.01) to have such access.

The educated farmers having access to the extension were 2.04 times more likely as

compared to non-educated. The model was found to be significant (X2=119.89,

P<0.001). 73.2% of cases were correctly predicted (Table 3). This signifies even though

women have access to training facilities, but they are deprived of access to services as

compared to males. Elite and educated groups being influencers in society can maintain

better relations with the extension workers and other bureaucrats of the system (Dhital,

2017). Thus, providing them more access to extension services (Acharya, Shakya and

Metsämuuronen, 2011). In many cases, due to lack of proper monitoring and

inclusiveness, the marginalized group of people and women have less access to these

facilities as compared to elites and males (Dhital, 2017). Subedi (2008) also reported

that marginalized (both touchable and untouchable) have comparatively low access to

knowledge and information as compared to Brahmin and Chhetri (elites).

3.4 Gender Differentiation of Agrobiodiversity Management Activities

The males dominating the choice of crops in the male-headed household was 9.53

times higher than female-headed households (P<0.001). Males were 36% more likely to

influence the choice of crops in elite groups compared to marginalized groups (P<0.01).

Similarly, for the same purpose, the domination of males in the family with agriculture

as a primary occupation was 2.19 times higher than other occupational families

(P<0.001). The relation was not significant with education and area of cultivation. The

model was found to be significant (X2=479.03, P<0.001). 23.7% variation in the

dependent variable (choice of crops with respect to gender) was explained by

independent variables. 80.2% of the results were correctly predicted (Table 4). In the

male-headed household, the choice of crops was seen as dominant by males. A similar

condition is seen in elite and agricultural dominant families. Even though most of the

farming decisions are controlled by males, most of the household and farm activities are

carried out by females (Bhattarai, Beilin and Ford, 2015).



Table 4: Gender differentiation of choice of crop, land preparation, seed selection, and

seed sowing

Choice of

crops

Land

preparation

Seed

selection

Seed

sowing

Type of household

(male headed=1)

9.53*** 7.28*** 6.08*** -4.18***

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.36** 1.06ns 1.39*** 1.08ns

Occupation (Ag=1) 2.19*** 2.12*** 1.56*** 1.59***

Education (educated

=1)

1.19ns 1.11ns 1.18ns 1.37**

Area of cultivated

land (ha)

1.11ns 1.05ns 1.02ns 1.10ns

Intercept 0.28*** 1.05ns 0.27*** 0.30***

Model Chi square 479.03*** 278.96*** 322.57*** 221.82***

Nagelkerke R2 0.237 0.178 0.150 0.103

% correctly

predicted

80.2 88.3 72.0 66.4

Note: *** = P<0.001, ** = P<0.01, * = P<0.05, ns = not significant

The males dominating the land preparation in male-headed households was 7.28

times higher than female-headed households (P<0.001). Similarly, for the same purpose,

the domination of males in the family with agriculture as a primary occupation was 2.12

times higher than other occupational families (P<0.001). The relation was not significant

with ethnicity, education, and area of cultivation. The model was found to be significant

(X2=278.96, P<0.001). 17.8% variation in the dependent variable (land preparation with

respect to gender) was explained by independent variables. The result was 88.3%

predicted correctly (Table 4). Land preparation is considered as heavy-work; thus, the

domination of males is higher than that of females in both male-headed and agricultural

households (Devkota and Pyakurel, 2017).

The males dominating the seed selection in male-headed households was 6.08

times higher than female-headed households (P<0.001). Males were 39% more likely to

influence the seed selection in elite groups as compared to marginalized groups

(P<0.001). In the households with agriculture as primary occupation, 56% higher male

domination was found in the selection of seeds (P<0.001). The relation was non-

significant with education and area of cultivation. The model was found to be significant

(X2=322.57, P<0.001). 15% variation in the dependent variable (seed selection with

respect to gender) was explained as independent variables. The result was 72% predicted

correctly (Table 4). As a selection of seed is a decision-making process it is also

dominated by males in male-headed, elite, and agricultural families (Bhattarai, Beilin

and Ford, 2015). Nepal being an agrarian society, the influence of females in family

decisions is negligible (Upreti et al., 2018).

The domination of females in male-headed households for seed sowing was 4.18

times more as compared to female-headed households (P<0.001). In the family with

agriculture as a primary occupation, 59% of higher male domination was found for a

similar purpose as compared to other occupational families (P<0.001). Similarly, for the

same purpose, the male domination was 37% more in the educated families as compared

to uneducated (P<0.01). The relation was not significant with occupation and area of

cultivation. The model was found to be significant (X2=221.82, P<0.001). 10.3%

variation in the dependent variable (seed sowing with respect to gender) was explained

by independent variables. The result was 66.4% predicted correctly (Table 4). Despite



the control of decision-making is in the hands of male, seed sowing is considered as

women’s task (Halbrendt et al., 2014).

Fertilizer application was found to be dependent on the type of household,

ethnicity, and occupation of the respondents. The odds of fertilizer application were 5.13

times more with respondents whose household was male headed (P<0.001). Likewise,

males belonging to elite groups were 32% more likely to do fertilizer application

(P<0.01). Moreover, the fertilizer application was 51% more likely in respondents

having agriculture as their occupation (P<0.001). 13% variation in the dependent

variable (fertilizer application with respect to gender) was explained by independent

variables. The relation was found to be not significant with education and area of

cultivation. The model was found to be significant (X²=260.55, P<0.001). 75.5% of the

cases were correctly predicted (Table 5).

In a similar study, Pyakuryal (2017) found that there is a common belief among

the people that educated persons should try to keep away from agricultural work as it is

related to drudgery and does not provide a fancy and luxurious way of living. Due to this

belief, many educated males tend to stay away from agricultural works and females have

to take part in field works on their behalf. Purchased inputs such as fertilizers and

improved seeds, as well as mechanical tools and equipment, are considerably less likely

to be used by women. Women are barely half as likely as males to use fertilizers in many

countries (UNDP, 2012). This may be because of a lack of access to resources and

knowledge on the use of fertilizers. In the findings of this research, male-dominated

households are more likely to use fertilizers in their fields than the female-headed

households.

Table 5: Gender differentiation of applying fertilizer, weeding, irrigation, and pest

control

Applying

fertilizer

Weeding Irrigation Pest control

Type of household

(male headed=1)

5.13*** 2.94*** 7.79*** 6.73***

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.32** 1.33ns 1.20ns 1.02ns

Occupation (Ag=1) 1.51*** 1.44*** 1.95*** 1.75***

Education (educated

=1)

1.22ns -1.42** 1.21ns 1.28ns

Area of cultivated land

(ha)

1.08ns 1.03ns 1.30* 1.10ns

Intercept 0.47*** 0.36*** 0.53*** 0.52***

Model Chi square 260.55*** 138.37*** 357.62*** 322.17***

Nagelkerke R2 0.130 0.065 0.199 0.168

% correctly predicted 75.5 61.5 83.1 79.4


Weeding was found to be dependent on the type of household, occupation, and

education of the respondents. The weeding was done 2.94 times more by the respondents

who were male headed (P<0.001). Similarly, respondents having agriculture as their

occupation were 44% more likely to carry out weeding operation (P<0.001) Likewise,

for the same purpose, weeding was 42% less likely to be carried out by uneducated

respondents (P<0.01). 6.5% variation in the dependent variable (weeding with respect

to gender) was explained by independent variables. The relation was found to be not

significant with ethnicity and area of cultivation. The model was found to be significant

(X²=138.37, P<0.001). 61.5% of the cases were correctly predicted (Table 5). Clearing



the field after plowing and weeding is considered less important that is usually

considered as female's work (Belay, 2016).

Irrigation was found to be dependent on the type of household, occupation, and

area of cultivated land of the respondents. The irrigation was 7.79 times more likely with

the respondents having male-headed households (P<0.001). Likewise, respondents with

agriculture as their occupation were 95% more likely to carry out irrigation (P<0.001).

Moreover, the irrigation was 30% less likely with the respondents having few areas of

cultivation (P<0.05). 19.9% variation in the dependent variable (irrigation with respect

to gender) was explained by independent variables. The relation was found to be non-

significant with the ethnicity and education of the respondents. The model was found to

be significant (X²=357.62, P<0.001). 83.1% of the cases were correctly predicted (Table

5). In Nepal, irrigating field is considered as male's work as it is necessary to make

channels to direct the movement of water. As this is the "heavy-work", it is mostly

practiced by males (Upreti et al., 2018).

Pest control was found to be significant on the type of household and occupation

of the respondents. The pest control was 6.73 times more in the respondents having male-

headed households (P<0.001). Similarly, people having agriculture as their occupation

were 75% more likely to carry out pest control (P<0.001). 16.8% variation in the

dependent variable (pest control with respect to gender) was explained by independent

variables. The relation was found to be not significant with ethnicity, education, and area

of cultivated land of the respondents. The model was found to be significant (X²=322.17,

P<0.001). 79.4%of the cases were correctly predicted (Table 5). Domination of males is

higher in pest control and spraying of fertilizer (FAO, 2011; Belay, 2016).

The males dominating the harvesting were 6.19 times greater in male-headed

households as compared to female-headed households (P<0.001). Males of the

respondent families with agriculture as primary occupation were 90% more likely to get

engaged in harvesting than other occupation families (P<0.001). The relation was not

significant with ethnicity, education, and area of cultivation. 15.8% variation in the

dependent variable (harvesting with respect to gender) was explained by independent

variables. The model was found to be significant (X2=275.38, P<0.001). 82.8% of cases

were correctly predicted (Table 6). As harvesting is considered one of the most important

operations, the involvement of family labor is equally important. However, why making

decisions, the dominance of males is seen higher in male-headed families (FAO, 2005).

Table 6: Gender differentiation of harvesting, sales of products, and control of income

Harvesting Sale of

products

Control of

income

Type of household (male

headed=1)

6.19*** 6.88*** 15.81***

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.10ns 1.24* 0.919ns

Occupation (Ag=1) 1.90*** 1.29** 1.12ns

Education (educated =1) 1.25ns 1.56*** 1.09ns

Area of cultivated land (ha) 1.11ns 1.14ns 1.00ns

Intercept 0.73* 0.39*** 0.68**

Model Chi square 275.38*** 322.92*** 532.02***

Nagelkerke R2 0.158 0.159 0.297

% correctly predicted 82.8 76.5 86.6


Sales of products were 6.88 times more likely dominated by males in male-headed

households as compared to female-headed households (P<0.001). The males dominating



the sales of products were 24% less likely in marginalized groups as compared to elite

groups (P<0.05). The males of the respondent family with agriculture as primary

occupation were 29% more likely to have sales of products than the families with other

occupations (P<0.01). Also, the male domination in sales of products was 56% more

with educated respondents than the uneducated ones (P<0.001). The relation was not

significant with the area of cultivation. 15.9% variation in the dependent variable (sale

of products with respect to gender) was explained by independent variables. The model

was found to be significant (X2=322.92, P<0.001). 76.5% of cases were correctly

predicted (Table 6). The sales and marketing of the product are considered to be male's

work (Bhattarai et al., 2015).

Similarly, the domination of males in controlling the income was 15.81 times

more likely in male-headed households as compared to female-headed households

(P<0.001). The relation was not significant with ethnicity, occupation, education, and

area of cultivation. 29.7% variation in the dependent variable (control of income with

respect to gender) was explained by independent variables. The model was found to be

significant (X2=532.02, P<0.001). 86.6 % of cases were correctly predicted (Table 6).

The control of household income is dominated by males in male-headed households.

However, as females are responsible for household management, the income can be

equally governed by women (Bhattarai et al., 2015).

The values signify that the male members of the family are more responsible for

the decision-making process and carry out the “heavy and more important tasks”. On the

contrary, women are responsible for light works like weeding and irrigation considered

“less-important works” (Belay, 2016). Previous studies by Poudel et al. (2009) and

UNDP (2012) have disclosed that, irrespective of areas, women are more involved in

crop production, processing, and post-harvesting activities than men. While men

generally perform tasks that require heavy physical labor such as plowing, women are

more commonly involved in tasks such as weeding, harvesting, threshing, and milling

(FAO, 2005; Halbrendt et al., 2014). In general, both men and women farmers are busy

during the labor-intensive agricultural season, especially during planting and harvesting

times (Halbrendt et al., 2014). Women are found mostly responsible for food

preservation and processing; men are generally accountable for crop selling in the

markets. Women were mainly involved in the cleaning of storerooms and storing agro-

products in bags (to preserve food crops properly for longer periods), preparation, and

sale of staple crops. This indicates that women are key contributors to family food and

economic security and control of income nowadays. However, due to the out-migration

of males of the family, women's workloads increase but they do not experience an

increase in decision-making process due to unchanging patriarchal societal structures

and gender inequalities (Spangler and Christie, 2019).

3.5 Agrobiodiversity Management Activities Done

The intercropping was 69% more likely to be practiced by respondents with access

to extension facilities (P<0.01). 2.0% variation in the dependent variable was explained

by independent variables. Agrobiodiversity management activity like intercropping was

found to be independent of the type of household, ethnicity, occupation, and agricultural

training practices. The model was found to be significant (X2=42.70, P<0.001). 55.5%

of cases were correctly predicted (Table 7). The result showed that the distribution of

work between both male and female were some-how equal which is in line with the

findings of Halbrendt et al. (2014). The respondents with good extension facilities

mostly focused on market-oriented cash crops thus resulting in more monocropping than

intercropping. In contrast to our result, Ketema and Bauer (2012) stated that as access to

extension service increased, the probability to practice intercropping also increased by



11.9%, implying that the technical information provided to farmers through extension

agents incorporate intercropping techniques among others.

Table 7: Factors affecting the practices of intercropping, mixed cropping, and crop

rotation

Intercropping Mixed cropping Crop rotation

Type of HH (male

headed=1)

1.03ns 1.055ns 1.09ns

Ethnicity (elite=1) 0.96ns 0.903ns 1.43***

Education (educated=1) 0.94ns 1.202ns 1.39**

Occupation (non ag=1) 0.95ns 0.96ns 1.10ns

Extension facility

(yes=1)

0.69** 0.75** 0.94ns

Training on ag(yes=1) 0.97ns 0.46*** 0.51***

Intercept 1.26* 0.75* 0.228***

Model chi square 42.70*** 108.28*** 80.58***

Nagelkerke R2 0.020 0.052 0.043

% correctly predicted 55.5 63 77.3


Similarly, mixed cropping practice was also found dependent only on agricultural

extension facilities and training. Mixed cropping practice was 75% more likely to be

performed by respondents with extension facilities (P<0.01). The relation was non-

significant for types of households, ethnicity, education status, primary occupation, and

training. 5.2% variation in the dependent variable was explained by independent

variables. The model was found to be significant (X2=108.28, P<0.001). 63% of cases

were correctly predicted (Table 7). In this case, respondents were trained with modern

agriculture techniques which prioritized monocropping of market-oriented high-value

crops rather than mixed cropping (Gharti and Hall, 2020).

Crop rotation practice was dependent on ethnicity, training, and education of

respondents. Crop rotation was performed 1.39 times more by educated respondents

(P<0.01). Also, elite respondents performed crop rotation 1.43 times more than the

marginalized ones (P<0.001). In a similar case, 51% of trained respondents were less

likely to practice crop rotation than untrained respondents (P<0.001). 4.3% variation in

the dependent variable was explained by independent variables. The model was found

to be significant (X2=80.58, P<0.001). 77.3% of cases were correctly predicted (Table

7). In recent years, as commercialization in agriculture is increasing at a slow pace,

educated farmers are more concerned with proper land utilization resulting in more

benefit from a small piece of land resulting in constant practicing of crop rotation

(Pandey, 2015).

These techniques of crop diversification are mostly affected by ethnicity,

education status of respondents, and the interaction between wealth strata and the size

of landholdings (Pandey, 2015). Practices of crop diversification are mostly carried out

by resource-poor households with fewer landholdings. Due to modernization in

agriculture, most educated personals are more concerned with high value cropping thus,

resulting in less practice of mixed cropping. Most of the farmers practiced mixed farming

from rural areas where the dominance of subsistence farming prevailed (Iyiola-Tunji et

al., 2015). In practice, the crop sequence often changes over time as an adaptation to

prevailing conditions, preferences, and knowledge and the different trade-offs that

farmers have to consider when choosing a crop (Chongtham et al., 2017).



Table 8: Factors affecting the practices of agroforestry, tree crop animal integration,

and occurrence of climate change

Agroforestry Tree-crop-animal

integration

Occurrence of

climate change

Type of HH (male

headed=1)

1.00ns 1.10ns 0.955ns

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.28** 1.14ns 1.625***

Education

(educated=1)

1.17ns 1.35** 1.629***

Occupation (non

ag=1)

0.92ns 0.79** 1.211*

Extension facility

(yes=1)

0.81* 0.86ns 0.67**

Training on ag(yes=1) 0.99ns 0.98ns 0.76*

Intercept 1.99ns 0.94ns 0.31***

Model chi square 29.97*** 52.13*** 132.85***

Nagelkerke R2 0.014 0.025 0.066

% correctly predicted 56.3 57.6 71.4


Agroforestry practice was found to be dependent on ethnic groups and extension

facilities. Agroforestry was practiced by elite respondents 1.28 times more than the

marginalized ones (P<0.01). Agroforestry practice was 81% more prevalent in

respondents with extension facilities (P<0.05). The relation was not significant with the

type of household, education, and primary occupation of respondents. 1.4% variation in

the dependent variable was explained by independent variables. The model was found

to be significant (X2=29.97, P<0.001). 56.3% of cases were correctly predicted (Table

8). The result obtained was consistent with the finding of Neupane et al. (2002). Elite

ethnics groups were likely to practice the agroforestry system as they had good extension

facilities, proper technical know-how, and have larger landholdings. However, women

dominant ethnic minorities had more constraints in adopting agroforestry compared to

men due to the lack of land and labor, lack of knowledge, low educational level, and

poor access to extension constrained adoption (Catacutan and Naz, 2015). In a recent

study conducted by Dhakal and Rai (2020), the adoption of agroforestry practices

showed a positive impact on the provision of extension services. Thus, extension

workers provide information to the farmers and help to clarify their doubts (Dhakal and

Rai, 2020). On the contrary, even though farmers had frequent contacts with extension

workers they may not have received the necessary information and support for

agroforestry as most government extension workers are not knowledgeable in

agroforestry and hence not able to deliver the technology and practices suitable for

farmers (Neupane et al., 2002).

The practice of tree-crop-animal integration was found to be dependent on the

education and occupation of respondents. Educated respondents practiced tree-crop-

animal integration 1.28 times more than the uneducated ones (P<0.01). Tree-crop-animal

integration practice was 79% more prevalent in respondents involved in agriculture

(P<0.01). The relation was not significant with the type of household, ethnicity,

extension facility, and agricultural training of respondents. 2.5% variation in the

dependent variable was explained by independent variables. The model was found to be

significant (X2=52.13, P<0.001). 57.6% of cases were correctly predicted (Table 8).

Gender analysis in the involvement of tree-crop-livestock integration showed that both

participate equally in every activity. Although women’s decisions were comparatively



less, there is a somewhat equal division of work between males and females. Educated

farmers have evolved and sustained diverse farming systems with the integration of

crops, animals, and trees (Pandit, Gautam and Adhikari, 2008). They are capable of

accepting tree-crop-livestock integration since they were practicing mixed cropping

where they feed their livestock with the product or byproducts of crop and use the animal

manure in the farm (Iyiola-Tunji et al., 2015). Farmers need to have sufficient access to

knowledge, required assets, and inputs to manage a tree-crop-livestock integration

system for economic and environmental sustainability over the long term. Integration of

the tree-crop-livestock components minimizes the use of agrochemicals, reduces the

opening of new areas for crop or livestock production, and reduces environmental

impacts, increasing biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, and improving soil structure and

fertility, particularly in combination with conservation agriculture practices such as zero-

tillage (Landers, 2007). The tree-crop-livestock system combines cropping, livestock,

and forestry activities through approaches such as crop rotation, succession, double

cropping, and intercropping, searching for synergistic effects among the components of

the agroecosystems (Pacheco, Chaves and Nicoli, 2012).

The knowledge about the occurrence of climate change was found to be dependent

on ethnicity, education, primary occupation, extension facility, and agricultural training

of respondents. Elite groups had 1.625 times more knowledge of climate change than

the marginalized groups (P<0.001). Similarly, educated respondents had 1.629 times

more knowledge on climate change than the uneducated ones (P<0.001). The knowledge

about climate change was 1.21 times more in the respondent not involved in agriculture

(P<0.05). The knowledge about climate change was 67% more in the respondent with

extension facilities. Likewise, 76% of respondents with agricultural training had more

knowledge of climate change (P<0.05). The relation was not significant with the type of

household. 6.6% variation in the dependent variable was explained by independent

variables. The model was found to be significant (X2=132.85, P<0.001). 71.4% of cases

were correctly predicted (Table 8). Farmers who were directly associated with farming

activities had a great deal of information about climate change. Those people who were

not involved in agricultural activities had no experience, and illiterate or with low

education levels were unaware of the occurrence of climate change. According to a

recent study by Paudel et al. (2020) educated farmers scientifically viewed climate

change while others have a religious perspective.

Elite groups were able to know about the occurrence of climate change through

different media as they were the resource-rich and educated respondents. Agricultural

extension increased awareness of the best available local adaptations that can be used to

manage climate risks, whilst at the same time assisting farmers to avoid mal-adaptation

by providing and disseminating information to farmers, providing institutional support,

and helping meet their needs (Antwi-Agyei and Stringer, 2021; Paudel et al., 2020).

Indigenous communities, especially those in remote rural areas of Nepal, used

indigenous knowledge to adapt to both climatic and non-climatic changes for centuries.

Indigenous knowledge enabled people to develop effective responses to climate change

(NCVST, 2009). The adaptation activities were predominantly driven by their skills,

ethnicity, local knowledge, and judgment, which varied according to their

agroecological region, vulnerability, available technology and resources, and

institutional support. Mostly, farmers practiced crop rotation, crop diversification,

intercropping, change in crop varieties, and adoption of climate-resistant crops/varieties

to respond to certain climate uncertainties which help in the conservation of

agrobiodiversity (Karki, Burton and Mackey, 2020). Farmers in the hills developed

different agroforestry models to overcome frequent drought, landslides, and high rates



of soil erosion. Similarly, farmers in the Terai adapted to recurrent floods by constructing

bamboo houses that are time and cost-effective (MoSTE, 2015).

3.6 Pesticides Use and Awareness among the Farmers

The use of chemical pesticides was found to be dependent on the ethnicity,

occupation, and training on agriculture of the respondents. The use of chemical

pesticides was 26% less likely in the marginalized groups of respondents (P<0.01).

Similarly, respondents having agriculture as their occupation are 15% more likely to use

chemical pesticides (P<0.05). Likewise, the use of chemical pesticides was 41% less

likely in respondents who have not received training on agriculture (P<0.001). 3.7%

variation in the dependent variable was explained by independent variables. The relation

was found to be not significant with types of households, education, and extension

facility. The model was found to be significant (X²=78.89, P<0.001). 60.1% of the cases

were correctly predicted (Table 9). This signifies that the elite groups of people and

people who had agriculture as their main occupation were making the use of chemical

pesticides for pest control than marginalized groups of people and people involving in

other occupations. Also, people who got training in agriculture were making the use of

chemical pesticides than people who had not received any training related to agriculture

by taking suggestions from nearby agrovets (Sapkota et al., 2020). As majority of

marginalized groups are involved in subsistence farming and most of the produce is

consumed by themselves, they prefer not to use chemical pesticides. Also, due to a lack

of technical knowledge in pesticides, the use of chemical pesticides is minimum (Bhatta

and Doppler, 2010).

Table 9: Factors affecting the use of chemical pesticides, see pesticide label before

application and follow waiting period of pesticides

Use of chemical

pesticides

See pesticide label

before application

Follow waiting

period of

pesticides

Type of HH (male

headed=1)

0.93ns 1.3ns 1.21ns

Ethnicity (elite=1) 1.26** 1.69*** 1.82***

Education

(educated=1)

1.18ns 1.92*** 1.48*

Occupation (ag=1) 0.85* 1.04ns 1.49**

Extension facility

(yes=1)

0.98ns 0.70ns 0.57**

Training on

ag(yes=1)

0.59*** 0.57*** 1.12ns

Intercept 1.17*** 0.69* 0.30ns

Model chi square 78.89*** 94.98*** 65.66***

Nagelkerke R2 0.037 0.104 0.074

% correctly

predicted

60.1 61.4 63.6


Seeing pesticide labels before pesticide application was found to be dependent

upon ethnicity, education, and training on agriculture of the respondents. Reading the

label before pesticide application was 69% more likely practiced in elite groups of

respondents (P<0.001). Moreover, respondents who were educated were 92% more

likely to read the pesticide label before pesticide application (P<0.001). Similarly,



respondents who have not received training on agriculture are 43% less likely to read

the label before pesticide application (P<0.001). 10.4% variation in the dependent

variable was explained by independent variables. The relation was found to be not

significant with types of households, occupation, and extension facility. The model was

found to be significant (X²=94.98, P<0.001). 61.4% of the cases were correctly predicted

(Table 9). This signifies that the elite groups of people were seeing the pesticide label

before pesticide application. The respondents who were educated were also reading the

label of pesticide before application. The uneducated ones were not following the

instructions in the pesticide container due to their inability to read the international

language (Sapkota et al., 2020). Also, the group of people who had not received training

on agriculture and the uneducated group were not seeing the label of pesticides before

the application due to lack of technical knowledge and inability to read instructions in

international language (Kafle et al., 2021).

The duration from application of pesticides to the harvest of crop in the field is

called as waiting period. In order to reduce the health hazard, it is utmost necessary to

follow the waiting period as it provides sufficient time to nullify the residual effect of

chemical. Ethnicity, education, occupation and extension facilities significantly affected

the following of waiting period after application of pesticides. Elite groups were 82%

more likely (P<0.001), educated farmers were 48% more likely (P<0.05) and farmers

with agriculture as primary occupation were 49% more likely to follow the waiting

period in comparison to their counterparts. Moreover, for the same purpose, respondents

with extension facilities are 43% more likely to follow the waiting period (p<0.01). 7.4%

variation in the dependent variables was explained by independent variables. The

relation was found to be not significant with types of households and training on

agriculture. The model was found to be significant (X²=65.66, P<0.001).63.6% of the

cases were correctly predicted (Table 9). The value represents that the elites follow the

waiting period of pesticide after its application. Also, the educated and the ones with

access to extension facilities followed the waiting period for pesticides (Kafle et al.,

2021). Thapa et al. (2021) found that the majority of farmers do not follow waiting

periods of pesticides and do not use make use of pesticides at a safe level. The main

reason for not following the waiting period is due to a lack of knowledge of the health

hazards caused by chemical pesticides and made those people more prone to pesticide

poisoning (Sapkota et al., 2020).

According to Atreya (2007), the usage of pesticides in the home was largely

decided by men. Gender differences were also observed in the consideration of wind

direction during spraying, prior knowledge of safety precautions, reading and

understanding of pesticide labels, and pesticide label awareness. Also, females have

more active participation in agricultural works but males receive most of the training

related to agriculture that may be the reason for the lack of proper management while

doing agricultural works (Joshi and Kalauni, 2019). In Nepal, the consumption of the

pesticide is increasing for the agricultural purposes. Therefore, farmers need to be

reminded that pesticides are not the only control measures for pest problems and they

should be taught to use pesticides in a safe way (Ghimire et al., 2018).

4. Conclusion

The decision-making of the household is highly influenced by the patriarchal

traditions even though most of the household and agricultural activities are performed

by the women. During this study, biasness was found in obtaining services like training

and extension in which elites, males, educated, and resource-rich households were more

favored as they were social influencers. Elite groups and educated people had major



knowledge and practices regarding agrobiodiversity and other agricultural practices. The

role of women and marginalized people in agrobiodiversity management is more than

that of males and elites but their role is ignored and mostly denied. So, to move towards

inclusion in agriculture there is a urgent need in mainstreaming the roles of females,

marginalized groups, and uneducated resource-poor farmers in agriculture and related

works through designing and implementing the policies. Attempts are needed to join the

dynamic link between social, ecological, and agrobiodiversity management systems to

improve resilience against climate change and for the formulation of effective climate

change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

5. Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to all the enumerators involved in this

study. We would also like to acknowledge three campuses of Tribhuwan University,

Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science viz., Paklihawa Campus, Lamjung Campus,

and Campus of Live Sciences for helping us in data collection. Lastly and most

importantly, as the contribution of respondents is of immense importance, so we would

like to extend our vote of thanks to them as well.

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Authors’ Declarations and Essential Ethical Compliances

Authors’ Contributions (in accordance with ICMJE criteria for authorship)

Contribution Author 1 Author 2 Author 3 Author 4 Author 5

Conceived and designed the

research or analysis

Yes No No No No

Collected the data No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Contributed to data analysis &

interpretation

Yes No No No No

Wrote the article/paper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Critical revision of the article/paper Yes Yes No Yes No

Editing of the article/paper Yes Yes No No No

Supervision Yes No No No No

Project Administration Yes No No No No

Funding Acquisition No No No No No

Overall Contribution Proportion (%) 35 25 15 15 10

Funding

No funding was available for the research conducted for and writing of this paper.






During the research, the authors followed the principles of the Convention on

Biological Diversity and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora. Yes




Analyses)

Have authors complied with PRISMA standards? Yes


Authors have no competing financial, professional, or personal interests from other

parties or in publishing this manuscript.















How to cite this paper: Joshi,

B.K. (2021). Agrobiodiversity

Indicators and Measurement using

R for Description, Monitoring,

Comparison, Relatedness,

Conservation and Utilization.


01(01): 47-64. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010103

Received: 19 August 2021

Reviewed: 15 September 2021

Accepted: 30 September 2021







affiliations.





y/4.0/

Editor-in-Chief:








Abstract Agrobiodiversity is the most important part of biodiversity. It can be described,

quantified, compared, and related by using different statistical tools called

agrobiodiversity statistics (agro-statistics). Six components and 25 groups of

agrobiodiversity should be used for agrobiodiversity analysis. Six types and levels of

agrobiodiversity can be quantified. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used for

estimating scores and indices. The measurement objects for describing agrobiodiversity

are community, household, site, crop group, species, landrace, etc. These objects are

called operational agricultural units (OAU). Agromorphological, molecular, and

perception data are used in agrobiodiversity studies. Among the many software, RStudio

is very good. It is an integrated part of R and includes a console, syntax-highlighting

editor, tools for plotting, history, debugging, and workspace management. Vegan and

BiodiversityR packages are commonly used for estimating diversity indices and

multivariate analysis. Richness, Shannon index and Simpson index are very common

means of quantifying agrobiodiversity. Spatial and temporal analysis of agrobiodiversity

helps monitor the status and plan the programs and activities.

Keywords Agrobiodiversity index; Agrobiodiversity statistics; Measurement; Indicators; R package

1. Introduction

Agrobiodiversity (also called agricultural genetic resources, AGRs) is a part of

biodiversity and includes all genetic resources that are economically beneficial. In

majority of the countries, native agrobiodiversity is neglected and underutilized due to

their high priority to monomorphic and high yielding varieties. Many different factors

are contributing to losing the AGRs. Among them the major factor is the rapid expansion

of single improved homogenous varieties and breeds in the world. Such single improved

variety is generally developed through studying a single species or variety or set of

genotypes, and there are limited studies on the whole agrobiodiversity at a particular

site. The general trend is that, rather than evaluating, describing and improving the native

agrobiodiversity, improved variety or breed is easily adopted and expanded due to which

many indicators are being affected. Indicators are any values, scores or status which

explain about the agrobiodiversity of a particular location. Agrobiodiversity indicators

have not been standardized across the world; and even the methodologies to estimate

and measure the indicators are not available. Indicators are very important to manage

M – 00256 | Review Article

ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021




Agrobiodiversity Indicators and Measurement using R for Description, Monitoring,

Comparison, Relatedness, Conservation and Utilization

Bal Krishna Joshi Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Kathmandu, Nepal. Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7848-5824

mailto:[email protected]%20%7C

48 Bal Krishna Joshi


the agrobiodiversity better, to plan programs and activities, and to monitor the trends

(Sthapit et al., 2017; PAR, 2018).

For the conservation of forest biodiversity (non-agrobiodiversity), different

indicators and approaches have been used, for example red listing of the species. Many

types of species have been defined and given due attention. Different types of species

include Alien, Charismatic, Dominant, Emblematic, Endangered, Endemic, Exotic,

Flagship, Focal, Foundation, Indicator, Indigenous, Invasive, Keystone, Landscape,

Priority, Rare, Specialty, Substitute, Surrogate, Target, Threatened, Tourism, Umbrella

and Vulnerable species. Similar approaches can be applied at species and landrace level

to support AGRs. Quantification of AGRs is another aspect that identifies such species

or landraces.

Different types of scores and indices along with coefficients can be estimated and

used as indicators (Joshi et al., 2005; Jarvis et al., 2000; Grum and Atieno, 2007)).

Several statistical tools can be applied using computer software to quantify

agrobiodiversity. Quantifications (measurements) of agrobiodiversity are generally done

at different levels e.g., at the agroecosystem, species, varieties, and administrative units.

Agrobiodiversity in any area should be estimated properly that leads to choosing the

conservation approaches effectively. This paper, therefore, describes different

operational agricultural units (OAU) for estimating diversity indices using R packages.

Among the various components under agrobiodiversity statistics, this paper focuses on

the measurement of agrobiodiversity. With the approaches described in this paper, one

can rank any household, community, district, or the country and can locate a center of

the diversity. A hotspot of agrobiodiversity and red zone for agrobiodiversity can be

identified, in addition to identifying the indicator species and landraces.

2. Agrobiodiversity Components and Groups

Agrobiodiversity covers all genetic resources that have value for food, nutrition,

health, and other economic uses to human beings. It has six components, and they are

crops, forages, livestock, insects, microorganisms, and aquatic genetic resources (Joshi

et al., 2020c). Insects and microorganisms include only economic and beneficial species.

Under aquatic genetic resources, only economically important species are included e.g.,

fish. Each of these components can further be divided into four sub-components. They

are cultivated/ domesticated, semi-domesticated, wild relatives, and wild edible species

(Joshi and Shrestha, 2017; Joshi and Shrestha, 2019).

Based on the economic uses, agricultural genetic resources can be grouped into

25 groups. They are 1. cereals, 2. pseudocereals, 3. millets, 4. sugar and starch crops, 5.

grain legumes, 6. oilseed crops, 7. summer vegetables, 8. winter vegetables, 9. roots and

tubers, 10. winter fruits, 11. summer fruits, 12. spices, 13. beverages and narcotics, 14.

fibers, 15. forage trees, 16. forage grasses, 17. ornamental plants, 18. medicinal plants,

19. supportive plants, 20. economic and beneficial (EB) insects, 21. EB microorganisms,

22. fish/aquatic animals, 23. aquatic plants, 24. poultry, and 25. livestock (Joshi and

Shrestha, 2019, Joshi and Shrestha 2017). Supportive plants include green manuring

crops, cover crops, pesticide plants, and other economically important plants that are not

included in the above groups.

These components, sub-components, and economic groups (Joshi et al., 2020c;

Joshi and Shrestha, 2019) are very useful to estimate different types of diversity indexes,

indicators, and scores of a particular site, community, or household over a certain period.

The AGRs may be of exotic and native types and both types can be considered for

agrobiodiversity measurement, but measurement based on only native AGRs would be



more valuable and important. There are many other grouping systems of AGRs (Joshi

and Shrestha, 2019), and these groups can also be considered to quantify

agrobiodiversity.

3. Agrobiodiversity Levels and Types

Agrobiodiversity can be measured and studied at different levels or hierarchies by

using different traits. Based on levels (coverage of objects), there are six types of

agrobiodiversity (Figure 1) (Joshi et al., 2020b; Bajracharya et al., 2012). Genetic diversity

includes three levels of diversity i.e., varietal diversity, genotypic diversity, and allelic

diversity. Agrobiodiversity can also be described under six types of diversity based on

traits and use-values. These include functional diversity, morphological diversity,

molecular diversity, use-value diversity, nutritional diversity, and food diversity. All these

12 types of diversity should be measured and studied at a particular site in a given period.

Based on the data types, objectives, and objects, different measures are used to estimate

and compare these different types of agrobiodiversity. Diversity can also be assessed based

on cropping patterns, growing season, land type and habitat. at species and varietal levels.

Morpho type is very simple indicator to measure the diversity.

Figure 1: Types of agrobiodiversity based on levels, traits, and use-values.

Source: Joshi et al. (2020b)

4. Agrobiodiversity Statistics (Agro-statistics)

Agro-statistics is a science of studying agrobiodiversity using different statistical

tools, methods, and principles. Many common statistical tools are useful for

measurement (quantification), characterization (description), classification (grouping),

Agrobiodiversity

2. Agrobiodiversity

components and groups

All components and sub components and groups of agricultural genetic

resources within agro-ecozone

5. Genotypic diversityVariation of genes, traits and genotypes within, landraces, varieties and

population structure and among genotypes

Morphological DiversityFunctional Diversity

Functional traits

among and within

species and varieties

1. Agro-ecosystem Diversity,

Agro-ecozone Diversity

Variety of different agro-ecosystems within an area, different growing seasons,

cropping pattern, agro-ecology and agro-ecozones

Inter and intra level species and sub species and crops diversity within a given

area

3. Species Diversity,

Crop Diversity

4. Varietal Diversity Intra and inter varietal diversity, landrace or cultivar diversity within a species

Food DiversityMolecular Diversity

Cultivated, semi domesticated, wild relatives and wild edible genetic resources

within an area , part of biodiversity

Phenotypic variation

among and within

species and varieties

Variation at DNA,

protein and other

molecules

Varied recipe with

different nutritional

pack

Nu

trit

ion

al

Div

ersi

ty

6. Allelic Diversity Variation within genes, traits and among alleles within genotypesGen

etic

Div

ersi

ty

Agr

ob

iod

iver

sity

leve

ls

Agrobiodiversity types

Use

Val

ue

Div

ersi

ty



evaluation (comparison) and association (relationship) of agrobiodiversity (Figure 2)

(Bajracharya et al., 2012; Grum and Atieno, 2007; Jarvis et al., 2000; Joshi et al., 2005).

With the development of different molecular markers and computing software, genetic

parameters are also commonly estimated. Description of these tools has been described

by Joshi et al. (2005). Both parametric and non-parametric tests are also commonly used

to compare agrobiodiversity. Appropriate test statistics are given in figure 3 based on

data types and the number of objects (factors) used. Both temporal and spatial analysis

(called trend analysis) can be carried out to see the status and changes in

agrobiodiversity.

Figure 2: Different statistical tools for agrobiodiversity study.

Figure 3: Statistical testing tools (parametric and non-parametric) for comparing

agrobiodiversity based on data types

Agrobiodiversity Statistics

Characterization (description)

Evaluation (comparison)

Relationship

• Frequency, Percentage

• Mean, Variance• Max and Min• Range• Rank • SD, CV• Areas/ HHs/ land

parcels• Box plot , graph

• t-test • ANOVA, MANOVA• F test• LSD• CV• Mean, SE• Max and Min• Score and rank• Non parametric test• Stability analysis• Box plot, graph

• Correlation • Regression • Chi square• Scatter plot• Box plot, graph

Classification Agrobiodiversity measurement

(quantification)

• Cluster analysis• PCA • Discriminant

analysis • D2 statistics • Factor analysis • Principal

coordinate analysis

• Diversity indices (richness, evenness, Shannon index, Simpson index)

• Similarity/ dissimilarity coefficients

• Score

Genetic parameters

Data Type

Continuous Nominal

Ordinal or skewed continuous

2 groups > 2 groups

Chi squarePaired Unpaired

Mcnemar’sor Cochran Q

Expected count 5 in >80% of cells

Expected count 5 in <80% of cells

Chi square Fisher’s exact

2 groups > 2 groups

Paired Unpaired Paired Unpaired

Wilcoxin signed rank Mann Whitney U Friedman Kruskal Wallis

2 groups > 2 groups

Paired Unpaired 1 factor 2 factors

Paired t test t-test

1 way ANOVA

2 way ANOVA



5. Agrobiodiversity Measurement (Quantification)

Agrobiodiversity measurement includes the quantification of AGRs at different

levels. Based on the quantification, AGRs can be grouped at the level of different strata

e.g., red list, endangered, rare, common, etc. (Joshi and Shrestha, 2019). The main

measures of agrobiodiversity are richness, evenness, diversity indices (Shannon,

Simpson indices), similarity coefficients, dissimilarity coefficients, scores (Joshi et al.,

2005; Kindt and Coe, 2005; Joshi et al., 2018; Jarvis et al., 2000; Grum and Atieno,

2007). Another measure is species density, which takes into account the number of

species in an area. Similarly, landrace density can also be estimated. These measures

should be measured at six different levels and types of agrobiodiversity (Figure 1) e.g.,

household, community, ward, municipality, district, province, and country. Such

estimates are generally calculated based on native agrobiodiversity and are, therefore,

useful for identifying the hotspot areas for agrobiodiversity. Quantification helps locate

the center of diversity, identify the hotspot and red zone areas for agrobiodiversity.

Hotspot areas are those areas that have the higher diversity score and indices, high

diversity on wild relatives, endemic species, many rare and unique landraces, and

species, and different types of land and cropping patterns.

Measurement (quantification) may be based on phenotypic, genotypic,

perception, and survey data. Such data can be collected and measured through

community biodiversity register and community seed bank, diversity block, diversity

collection, diversity fair, field/transect walk, focus group discussions, food fair,

household survey, key informant interviews, online survey, lab experiment, literature

review, local market, on-farm, and on-station trials. Diversity changes over time and

space are also estimated using different diversity measures, which are important for

monitoring and applying appropriate methods for conservation and utilization.

For the index calculation at different levels, one can count the number of species

within-group, or several landraces within species as well as group (PAR, 2018;

Pudasaini et al., 2016; Borcard, Gillet and Legendre, 2011; Grum and Atieno, 2007;

Joshi and Baniya, 2006). Taking the natural logarithms of species richness or landrace

richness, an index can be calculated. The proportion of each group, species, or landraces

can be calculated by dividing the number of that groups, species, or landraces by the

total number of all groups, species, or landraces in a given area. The formula for

calculating the Shannon diversity index, Simpson index, evenness, and other indices can

be applied on these data. Agrobiodiversity index (ABDI) can be of household (HH),

village or community, district, province, agroecozone, and country. A weighted index

using either agrobiodiversity components or groups can be estimated as described in the

literature1. In some cases, microorganisms, insects, ornamental plants, and the medicinal

plant may be excluded from the calculation due to data unavailability.

The percentage of species or landraces in each group or species can be calculated

considering the total number of species or landraces in the country or studied areas

(Pudasaini et al., 2016; Joshi et al., 2018; Joshi et al., 2007). Based on the data obtained,

each household or area or district can be ranked. For example, ABDI (based on

landraces) for each household is equal to the number of landraces in each species or

group divided by the total number of landraces in a community or district.

6. Agrobiodiversity Indicators (Score and Index)

1 https://news.mongabay.com/2016/05/top-10-biodiverse-countries/

https://news.mongabay.com/2016/05/top-10-biodiverse-countries/



Agrobiodiversity indicators are any scores, indices, signs, symptoms, values,

drivers, or marks that speak about the status of total diversity, trends on diversity, the

status of intra- and inter-level diversity of species, and landraces in a particular area. It

indicates that the agrobiodiversity is increasing, remaining constant, or decreasing.

There is a wide range of methods of measuring various dimensions of agrobiodiversity,

which is often referred to as the agrobiodiversity indicators, scores, and indices

(Boversity International, 2017; Sthapit et al., 2017; PAR, 2018; Kindt and Coe, 2005;

Joshi et al., 2020b). Diversity indicators, indices, and scores can be used to compare

within and between different populations at species, landraces, and genetic levels over

locations and years.

Agrobiodiversity indicators can be assessed at three different systems, namely, in

consumption and market system, in production system, and in genetic resource

management system (Sthapit et al., 2017). Some indicators include the red zone, red list,

landraces coverage (based on five cell analysis), cropping pattern, mixture, monocrop

vs. multicrops, land type, food items, native products in the market, the richness of

species and landraces, population size, etc. A red list is the list of names of genetic

resources (at genotype, landrace, variety, strain, and breed levels) under different groups

based on the analysis of distribution and population size (also called five cell analysis),

and trait distribution. Among these indicators, scores and indices are more commonly

estimated and used.

Diversity indices and scores are calculated using both qualitative and quantitative

data. In case of quantitative data, it needs to be converted into qualitative groups. The

proportion of entries in ith class can be calculated using morphological data considering

the different phenotypic classes of traits. Similarly, frequency data on genebank

collection can be used to estimate different indices. Many ways can be used to estimate

several types of household scores and indices. Household-level diversity can be of

household diversity score and index as given below.

6.1 A1. Household Agrobiodiversity Score (HHABDS)

1. Number of species (species richness, n) in each of 6 agrobiodiversity

components (crops, forages, livestock, economical insects, economically

important microorganisms, aquatic agricultural species) over a year

2. Number of landraces (landrace richness, n) per species for each of 6 components

in a year

3. Land type, n (marshy/ wetland, pond/aquatic, slopy upland, terrace upland,

slopy low land, terrace low land, riverside, agroforestry land, grassland)

4. Functional diversity (number of special functions using special landraces) in a year

5. Unique diversity value (the number of specialty/ unique landraces divided by

the total number of landraces)

6. Agrobiodiversity group score (or agrobiodiversity group richness) (based on 25

agrobiodiversity groups i.e., cereals, pseudocereals, millets, sugar and starch

crops, grain legumes, oilseed crops, summer vegetables, winter vegetables, roots

and tubers, winter fruits, summer fruits, spices, beverages and narcotics, fibers,

forage trees, forage grasses, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, supportive

plants, economical and beneficial (EB) insects, EB microorganisms, fish and

aquatic animals, aquatic plants, poultry, and livestock), at 0 or 1 scale over a

year with maximum 25 score

7. Dietary diversity score (based on 15 groups: cereals, pseudocereals, millets, roots

and tubers, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meat and poultry, eggs, fish and aquatic animals,



pulses and legumes, milk and milk products, oil/fat and ghee2, sugar and honey, and

miscellaneous) at 0 or 1 scale on half-year basis with maximum 15 score

8. Social agrobiodiversity score (number of religious or culturally associated

landraces, considering all 6 agrobiodiversity components)

9. Food diversity score (number of food items/recipes eaten per meal, average of

morning, day, and evening foods)

10. Food component score (number of species in food per meal, average of morning,

day, and evening foods)

11. The average area per species (crops and forages) in square meter

12. HH agrobiodiversity score: sum from above 1 to 10 scores.

6.2 A2. Household Agrobiodiversity Index (HHABDI)

A. Based on species within agrobiodiversity group

▪ HH agrobiodiversity group richness, n

1. HH Shannon diversity index (based on number of species within a group)

2. HH Simpson index (based on number of species within a group)

3. HH species evenness (specie within a group)

B. Based on landraces within the agrobiodiversity group

▪ HH agrobiodiversity group richness, n

4. HH Shannon diversity index (based on number of landraces within a group)

5. HH Simpson index (based on number of landraces within a group)

6. HH landraces evenness (specie within a group)

C. Based on landraces within species

▪ HH agrobiodiversity species richness, n

7. HH Shannon diversity index (based on number of landraces within a species)

8. HH Simpson index (based on number of landraces within a species)

9. HH species evenness (specie within a group)

HH agrobiodiversity index (HHABDI): sum of above 1 to 9 index values.

In the similar way of household scores and indices, one can estimate village or

community agrobiodiversity scores and indices as follows.

6.3 B.1. Village Agrobiodiversity Score (VABDS)

1. Number of species (species richness, n) in each of 6 agrobiodiversity

components (crops, forages, livestock, economical insects, economical

microorganisms, aquatic agricultural species) over a year

2. Number of landraces (landrace richness, n) per species for each of 6

agrobiodiversity components over a year

3. Land type, n (marshy/ wetland, pond/aquatic, sloppy upland, terrace upland,

sloppy low land, terrace low land, riverside, agroforestry land, grassland)

4. Functional diversity (number of special functions using special landraces) in a year

5. Unique diversity value (number of specialty/ unique landraces, functional trait-

specific genotypes divided by total number of species)

6. Village agrobiodiversity score (based on 25 agrobiodiversity groups, i.e.

cereals, pseudocereals, millets, sugar and starch crops, grain legumes, oilseed

crops, summer vegetables, winter vegetables, roots and tubers, winter fruits,

summer fruits, spices, beverages and narcotics, fibers, forage trees, forage

grasses, ornamental plants, medicinal plants, supportive plants, economical and

beneficial (EB) insects, EB microorganisms, fish and aquatic animals, aquatic

plants, poultry, and livestock) at 0 or 1 scale over a year with maximum 25 score

2 It is made by melting butter.



7. Village dietary diversity score (based on 15 groups: cereals, pseudocereals,

millets, roots and tubers, vegetables, fruits, nuts., meat and poultry, eggs, fish

and aquatic animals, pulses and legumes, milk and milk products, oil/ fat and

ghee, sugar and honey, and miscellaneous) at 0 or 1 scale on half-year basis with

maximum 15 score

8. Social agrobiodiversity score (number of religious or culturally associated

landraces, considering all 6 agrobiodiversity components)

9. Food diversity score (number of food items/recipes eaten per meal, average of

morning, day, and evening foods)

10. Food component score (number of species in food per meal, average of morning,

day, and evening foods)

11. Village agrobiodiversity score: sum of above 1 to 10 values

12. The average area per species (crops and forages) in square meter

13. Average agrobiodiversity HH score

14. Average social agrobiodiversity HH score

15. The average number of species per HH

16. The average number of landraces per HH

17. Average areas per HH.

6.4 B.2. Village Agrobiodiversity Index (VABDI)

A. Based on species within agrobiodiversity group

▪ Agrobiodiversity group richness, n

1. Village Shannon diversity index (based on number of species within a group)

2. Village species evenness (specie within a group)

3. Village Simpson’s index

B. Based on landraces within the agrobiodiversity group

▪ Agrobiodiversity group richness, n

4. Village Shannon diversity index (based on number of landraces within a group)

5. Village landraces evenness (specie within a group)


C. Based on landraces within species

▪ Agrobiodiversity species richness, n

7. Village Shannon diversity index (based on number of landraces within a species)

8. Village species evenness (specie within a group)


Village agrobiodiversity index (VABDI): Sum of above 1 to 9 values

Similarly, we can estimate agrobiodiversity indices and scores at district,

province/ state levels or any defined specific areas. OAUs can be further ranked based

on these scores and indices. The followings are additional measures of agrobiodiversity.

• Agrobiodiversity index at HH, community, district, province, ward levels using

the number of species or landraces divided by the total number of species or

landraces in a country

• Analog site index of a particular landrace or species, calculated from climate

analog tool based on reference site of a particular landrace or species

• Driver index can be estimated for each of different drivers (factors) in a

particular area over the particular time frame, using the formula, lost landraces

divided by the total number of landraces available before the effect of this driver.



7. Data Types and Collections

Different types of data are generated and collected for the measurement and other

studies of agrobiodiversity. Different data types for agrobiodiversity study are given in

figure 4. Data could be agro-morphological, molecular, and perception, which can be

generally collected from on-station research, on-farm trial, surveys, and lab research.

Several methods and techniques can be used to collect data and information (see Joshi

et al., 2005 for detail).

Apps and software are available for collecting data and information electronically

both online as well offline. FieldLab is an application for Android tablets that are used

for data collection in the field. It is developed by IRRI3 and is available freely. Field

Book is a simple app for taking phenotypic notes. It is an open-source application for

field data collection on Android4 and is available from Google Play5. The Fieldbook2020

software developed by CIMMYT6 provides offline capabilities for managing pedigrees,

phenotypic data, seed stocks, and field books for a breeding program. It provides

integrated management of global information on genetic resources, crop improvement,

and evaluation for individual crops. R Package7 included in this software is useful for

statistical analyses. Biologer8 is a simple and free software designed for collecting data

on biological diversity.

Figure 4: Data types for measuring on-farm agrobiodiversity at ecosystem, species, and

cultivar levels

Perception data is generally collected from a survey. Along with the advancement

of information technology, many data collections survey tools are available. These

3 http://bbi.irri.org/products/fieldlab 4 http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2013.08.0579 5 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fieldbook.tracker&hl=en&gl=US 6 https://www.cimmyt.org/ 7 https://data.cimmyt.org/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:11529/10548370 8 https://biologer.org/

Observation = Variable = Data

Quantitative Qualitative

Descriptive Statistics and Inferential Statistics

Continuous Discrete (discontinuous)

Attributes, categorical

Primary Secondary

Attribute dataMeasurement data

Primary Secondary

Variables, Numerical

Interval scale Non-interval scale

Fractional measurement

Raw data

Groupable w/t rank Rankable

Nominal scale Ordinal scale

Perception Binary

http://bbi.irri.org/products/fieldlab

http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2013.08.0579

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fieldbook.tracker&hl=en&gl=US

https://www.cimmyt.org/

https://data.cimmyt.org/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:11529/10548370

https://biologer.org/



online tools are very useful to minimize errors and speed up data processing. Some

electronic media-based survey tools are given below.

▪ Surveymonkey9: A cloud-based survey tool that helps users create, share, collect

and analyze surveys.

▪ Google forms10: It is used to create online forms and surveys.

▪ SoGoSurvey11: A cloud-based platform that enables creation, distribution, and

multilingual analysis of surveys, forms, polls, quizzes, and assessments.

▪ mWater Portal12: Free platform for data collection, data visualizations, and data-

driven management of infrastructure in emerging economies.

▪ ODK13: It is an Open Data Kit, open-source software for collecting, managing,

and using data in resource-constrained environments.

8. Measurement Objects

The information for measuring agrobiodiversity comes from different levels.

These levels are alleles, genes, genotypes, cultivars (varieties and landraces), crops,

species, components and groups, agroecosystems or agroecozones, parcels or plots,

households (farmers), villages, communities, ethnicities, wards, municipalities,

landscapes, regions, districts, provinces/ states, countries, and continents. These levels

are measurement objects, called OAU (operational agricultural unit).

In addition, there are several crop groups that are OAU based on different criteria

e.g., use-value base, economic importance base, national list base, habitat base, red list

base, growing season base, national priority base, etc. Examples are cereals, vegetable

fruits, released variety, registered variety, major, minor, primary, secondary, staple,

commodity, high value, commercial, industrial, food crops, feed crops, manuring crops,

pesticidal plants, cash crops, cover crops, trap crops, catch crop, cultivated, semi-

domesticated, wild edible, field crops, garden crops, aquatic plants, common, rare,

endangered, extinct, localized, vulnerable, winter crops, summer crops, and off-season

(Joshi and Shrestha, 2019).

Object or OAU refers to the things being analyzed, interpreted, evaluated, or

described. Variable or character refers to the properties used to describe the objects under

study. Variables may be both qualitative and quantitative, and include

agromorphological, genotypic, and perception data. These are measured or observed

from an individual, representative samples, or population. In some cases,

agromorphological markers, traits, and molecular markers can be treated as OAU.

9. Software for Agrobiodiversity Statistics

Many software are available for agrobiodiversity statistics. The general and

molecular software are given below.

I. General Statistical Software

▪ AGROBASE14: For data management, experiment management, and statistical

analysis.

9 https://www.surveymonkey.com/ 10 https://www.google.com/forms/about/ 11 https://experience.sogosurvey.com/ 12 https://portal.mwater.co/#/ 13 https://opendatakit.org/ 14 https://www.agronomix.com/AGROBASE.aspx

https://www.surveymonkey.com/

https://www.google.com/forms/about/

https://experience.sogosurvey.com/

https://portal.mwater.co/#/

https://opendatakit.org/

https://www.agronomix.com/AGROBASE.aspx



▪ CropStat15: For data management and basic statistical analysis of experimental

data.

▪ DIPVEIW: For genebank data management and analysis.

▪ DIVA-GIS16: For mapping and geographic data analysis (a geographic

information system (GIS).

▪ Genstat17: For data analysis, particularly in the field of agriculture.

▪ GGEbiplot18: For biplot analysis, conventional statistical analysis, and decision

making based on univariate and multivariate data.

▪ Instat+19: A general statistical package.

▪ Minitab20: Simple and general statistical package.

▪ MS Excel21: Spreadsheet software program, a powerful data visualization, and

analysis tool.

▪ MSTAT-C22: For the design, management, and analysis of agronomic research

experiments.

▪ NTSYSpc23: Commonly used package for numerical taxonomy and multivariate

analysis system.

▪ Past24: For scientific data analysis, with functions for data manipulation,

plotting, univariate, multivariate statistics, ecological analysis, time series, and

spatial analysis.

▪ R25 and RStudio26: For statistical computing and graphics.

▪ SAS27: For data management, advanced analytics, and multivariate analysis.

▪ SPSS28: A software platform that offers advanced statistical analysis, a vast

library of machine learning algorithms, and text analysis.

▪ STAR29: Statistical tool for agricultural research.

▪ Statistica30: A data analysis and visualization program.

▪ Statistix31: Statistical analysis program.

▪ PDA32: For biodiversity analysis and conservation prioritization problems.

▪ BioDiversity Pro33: A free statistical package program enabling many measures

of diversity to be calculated for a dataset of taxa by samples.

II. Molecular Data Analysis Software

▪ Arlequin34: Powerful genetic analysis packages performing a wide variety of

tests, including hierarchical analysis of variance.

15 http://bbi.irri.org/products 16 https://www.diva-gis.org/ 17 https://www.vsni.co.uk/software/genstat 18 http://ggebiplot.com/ 19 https://instat.software.informer.com/3.3/ 20 https://www.minitab.com/en-us/ 21 https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/excel 22 https://www.canr.msu.edu/afre/projects/microcomputer_statistical_package_mstat._1983_1985 23 http://www.appliedbiostat.com/ntsyspc/ntsyspc.html 24 https://www.nhm.uio.no/english/research/infrastructure/past/index.html 25 https://www.r-project.org/ 26 https://www.rstudio.com/ 27 https://www.sas.com/en_us/home.html 28 https://www.ibm.com/analytics/spss-statistics-software 29 http://bbi.irri.org/products 30 https://www.statistica.com/en/ 31 https://www.statistix.com/ 32 http://www.cibiv.at/software/pda/ 33 https://www.sams.ac.uk/science/outputs/ 34 http://cmpg.unibe.ch/software/arlequin35/

http://bbi.irri.org/products

https://www.diva-gis.org/

https://www.vsni.co.uk/software/genstat

http://ggebiplot.com/

https://instat.software.informer.com/3.3/

https://www.minitab.com/en-us/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/excel

https://www.canr.msu.edu/afre/projects/microcomputer_statistical_package_mstat._1983_1985

http://www.appliedbiostat.com/ntsyspc/ntsyspc.html

https://www.nhm.uio.no/english/research/infrastructure/past/index.html

https://www.r-project.org/

https://www.rstudio.com/

https://www.sas.com/en_us/home.html

https://www.ibm.com/analytics/spss-statistics-software

http://bbi.irri.org/products

https://www.statistica.com/en/

https://www.statistix.com/

http://www.cibiv.at/software/pda/

https://www.sams.ac.uk/science/outputs/

http://cmpg.unibe.ch/software/arlequin35/



▪ GDA35: For the analysis of discrete genetic data.

▪ GenAlEx36: Excel Add-In for the analysis of genetic data, particularly useful for

dominant data such as RAPD and AFLP data.

▪ MEGA37: For reconstructing phylogenies using distance matrices and maximum

parsimony methods, and includes neighbor-joining, branch-and-bound

parsimony methods and bootstrapping.

▪ PHYLIP38: Extensive package of programs for inferring phylogenies.

▪ POPGENE39: For the analysis of genetic variation among and within

populations using co-dominant and dominant markers, and quantitative data.

▪ PowerMarker40: A comprehensive set of statistical methods for genetic marker

data analysis, designed especially for SSR/SNP data analysis.

▪ STRUCTURE41: Uses a clustering method to identify population structure and

assigns individuals to those populations.

10. R Packages for Agrobiodiversity Measurement and Study

Most of the software and R packages used in biodiversity analysis can be used for

agrobiodiversity analysis. Past is simple and free software that can be used for

agrobiodiversity data. It is good for generating a graph, doing multivariate analysis,

estimating different diversity indices, and analyzing time-series data. Some of the R

packages useful for analysis of agrobiodiversity data are:

▪ adiv42: Analysis of Diversity, with functions, data sets, and examples for the

calculation of various indices of biodiversity including species, functional and

phylogenetic diversity.

▪ agricolae43: Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research, offers extensive

functionality on experimental design especially for agricultural and plant

breeding experiments and other statistical analysis.

▪ analogues44: To calculate the climatic similarity between a reference site and a

prescribed area, helps identifying locations with similar climates.

▪ BAT45: Biodiversity assessment tools, assess alpha and beta diversity in all their

dimensions (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional).

▪ BiodiversityR46: For statistical analysis of biodiversity and ecological

communities.

▪ BioFTF47: To study biodiversity with the functional data analysis.

▪ BIO-R48: Biodiversity analysis using molecular data.

▪ GGEBiplotGUI49: A graphical user interface for the construction of, interaction

with, and manipulation of GGE biplots.

35 https://phylogeny.uconn.edu/software/ 36 https://biology-assets.anu.edu.au/GenAlEx/Welcome.html 37 https://www.megasoftware.net/ 38 https://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html 39 https://sites.ualberta.ca/~fyeh/popgene.html 40 https://brcwebportal.cos.ncsu.edu/powermarker/ 41 https://web.stanford.edu/group/pritchardlab/structure.html 42 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/adiv/index.html 43 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/agricolae/index.html 44 https://github.com/CIAT-DAPA/analogues 45 https://biodiversityresearch.org/software/ 46 https://www.worldagroforestry.org/output/tree-diversity-analysis 47 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/BioFTF/index.html 48 https://data.cimmyt.org/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:11529/10820 49 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/GGEBiplotGUI/index.html

https://phylogeny.uconn.edu/software/

https://biology-assets.anu.edu.au/GenAlEx/Welcome.html

https://www.megasoftware.net/

https://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html

https://sites.ualberta.ca/~fyeh/popgene.html

https://brcwebportal.cos.ncsu.edu/powermarker/

https://web.stanford.edu/group/pritchardlab/structure.html

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/adiv/index.html

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/agricolae/index.html

https://github.com/CIAT-DAPA/analogues

https://biodiversityresearch.org/software/

https://www.worldagroforestry.org/output/tree-diversity-analysis

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/BioFTF/index.html

https://data.cimmyt.org/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:11529/10820

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/GGEBiplotGUI/index.html



▪ hclust50: Hierarchical cluster analysis on a set of dissimilarities and methods for

analyzing it.

▪ prcomp51: Performs a principal components analysis on the given data matrix

and returns the results as an object of class prcomp.

▪ pscyh52: Procedures for psychological, psychometric, and personality research.

▪ rich53: For the analysis of species richness.

▪ vegan54: For community ecologists with multivariate and diversity analysis and

other functions.

11. Data Preparation, Import and Analysis in R

A very common data frame in agrobiodiversity study is a data matrix that contains

information about the properties, traits, characters, variables of several OAU

(individuals, samples, specimens and population). For example, data is a household data

matrix (household by several landraces within a species) and it is a count data set. The

first column is household name or number, and it may be a community, site, household,

species, agrobiodiversity component, agrobiodiversity group, or any other OAU. Other

columns are the number of landraces under different crop species, and it may be species,

cultivars, or any other variables. Data is generally prepared in MS Excel, and it is good

to cross-check and verify the data before importing it into the R environment. The useful

commands in Excel for data check are freezing or splitting panes, filter, sort, text to a

column, data validation, exploratory data analysis, scatter plot, etc.

RStudio is more user-friendly, and the following analysis and process are based

on RStudio. RStudio has four windows, script/editor window, data import/workspace

window, console/ command window, and file/plot/package window. Among many R

packages, vegan and BiodiversityR are more useful for estimating agrobiodiversity

indices (Kindt and Coe, 2005), and, therefore, methods including R script are described

below. To import data, the import dataset menu under environment is used. Here

example data file is hhdata. The followings are the R scripts to import, view data, and

converting imported data into a data frame.

library(readxl)#loading readxl package

hhdata <- read_excel("C:/Users/BK Joshi/Downloads/canada

training/ram/hhdata.xlsx")#importing data from given drive and saving this data

into hhdata

View(hhdata)#to see the data

hhdata<- as.data.frame (hhdata)#converting imported excel data into R data

frame

rownames(hhdata) <- hhdata[,1] #assigning row names from 1st column

hhdata[,1] <- NULL #removing the first column

hhdata #to display data contents

Followings are the R script for installation and estimating diversity indices using

R package, vegan

#install vegan package from a menu, Package then install in RStudio

S=apply(hhdata>0,1,sum)# estimate species richness (S) without loading vegan

50 https://www.rdocumentation.org/packages/stats/versions/3.6.2/topics/hclust 51 https://www.rdocumentation.org/packages/stats/versions/3.6.2/topics/prcomp 52 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/psych/index.html 53 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/rich/index.html 54 https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/vegan/index.html

http://stat.ethz.ch/R-manual/R-devel/library/base/html/as.data.frame.html

https://www.rdocumentation.org/packages/stats/versions/3.6.2/topics/hclust

https://www.rdocumentation.org/packages/stats/versions/3.6.2/topics/prcomp

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/psych/index.html

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/rich/index.html

https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/vegan/index.html



S # to display a richness

library(vegan) #loading vegan package

H=diversity(hhdata)#estimate Shannon diversity index

help(diversity)# look for description of function diversity

simp=diversity (hhdata, index="simpson") #estimate simpson index

J = diversity (hhdata, index =”simpson”)/log(S) #estimate Pielou’s evenness (J)

diversity(hhdata[-1], index="shannon")#exclude first column in case of data file

with first column as row name

barplot(simp) #plot simpson index

pairs(cbind(H, simp), pch="+", col="blue") #plot all

## Species richness (S) and Pielou's evenness (J):

S <- specnumber(hhdata) #estimate richness

cor(H,simp) #correlation coefficient between the Shannon and Simpson indices

A useful picture of diversity across several units is the function anosim() in the

package, vegan. This analysis ranks all the dissimilarities among accessions and

produces a boxplot of the ranks of dissimilarities within a given unit e.g., household. As

an example, iris data set within this package is given below.

data(iris) #loading data in R memory

distiris<-dist(iris[,1:4]) #distance matrix computed by using the specified

distance measure to compute the distances between the rows of a data matrix

anoiris<-anosim(distiris,iris$Species) #analysis of similarities (anosim)

provides a way to test statistically whether there is a significant difference

between two or more groups of sampling units.

plot(anoiris) #produces a boxplot of the ranks of dissimilarities within a given

unit.

Another useful R package is BiodiversityR, which is a graphical user interface for

statistical analysis of biodiversity and ecological communities, including species

accumulation curves, diversity indices, Renyi profiles, GLMs for analysis of species

abundance and presence-absence, distance matrices, Mantel tests, and cluster,

constrained and unconstrained ordination analysis. It is menu-driven built within Rcmdr

package. BiodiversityR analyzes two datasets simultaneously as does the vegan

community ecology package. These data sets are the community datasets (rows

correspond to sample units and columns correspond to species) and the environmental

datasets.

It is suggested to install the package in R following the guidelines55 as described

in the installation guide. The manual56 can also be accessed.

Followings are the commands and steps for analysis in BiodiversityR. An analysis

can be carried out either through menu driven or using commands:

library (BiodiversityR) #load BiodiversityR package

library (Rcmdr) #load Rcmdr package

BiodiversityRGUI() #open graphical interface

help("BiodiversityRGUI", help_type="html") #to see details.

These are the steps for doing analyses with the menu options of BiodiversitR. To

select the species and environmental matrices, follow these menu-driven steps:

BiodiversityR > Environmental Matrix > Select environmental matrix

Select the dune.env dataset as an example

Biodiversity > Community Matrix > Select community matrix

Select the dune dataset as an example.

55 https://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/default/files/users/admin/Installation%20of%20BiodiversityR%202018.pdf 56 http://apps.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/b13695.pdf

https://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/default/files/users/admin/Installation%20of%20BiodiversityR%202018.pdf

http://apps.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/b13695.pdf



To calculate diversity indices for each site, follow these steps:

BiodiversityR > Analysis of diversity > Diversity indices …

Diversity index: Shannon

Calculation method: separate per site.

To calculate diversity indices for each site using the command options of

BiodiversityR, use the following scripts:

Diversity.1 <- diversityresult(dune, index=”Shannon”,method=”each site”)

Diversity.1

Diversity.2 <- diversityresult(dune, index=”Simpson”,method=”each site”)

11.1 Interpretation

Richness (S) is a number of species, landraces, particular traits in household,

community, sites, or landrace. It quantifies types of the dataset. Shannon index (Shannon

diversity index or Shannon Weaver index, H’) includes both species number and

evenness, where a greater number of species increase diversity, as does a more equitable

distribution of individuals among species. High H’ is representative of a diverse and

equally distributed community. H’ is strongly influenced by species richness and by rare

species. Simpson index (D) is a measure of diversity, which takes into account both

richness and evenness. The value of D ranges from 0 to 1, the greater the value the

greater the diversity. The Simpson index gives more weight to evenness and common

species. Evenness (Pielou’s evenness, E) is a measure of the relative abundance of the

different species making up the richness of an area. A community dominated by one or

two species is considered to be less diverse than one in which several different species

have a similar abundance. Its value ranges from 0 to 1 and 1 is complete equitability.

12. Conclusion

Native agrobiodiversity is generally neglected for conservation, quantification,

evaluation, and monitoring. Different statistical tools can be used under agrobiodiversity

statistics. Many software and R package are now available for agrobiodiversity study

including measurement. Six types and levels of agrobiodiversity need to quantify and

study for better management of agrobiodiversity. An operational agricultural unit is like

a factor in which variables are generated and analyzed. Multivariate analysis and

diversity indices are the major statistical components used in agrobiodiversity

measurement. Estimates help generate the agrobiodiversity indicators that ultimately

drive the program plans and activities. Many different types of scores and indices can be

measured for household, community, any other administrative unit, and other OAUs.

Among the many software and R packages, vegan and BiodiversityR are very useful

packages for estimating diversity indices and multivariate analysis along with many

statistical features. Such estimates should be measured over a certain geo-region and

period to monitor the status, plan the program, and rank the geo-regions.

13. Acknowledgments

The Grassroots Institute organized a Summer Field School on Mountain

Ecosystem and Resource Management in September 2021. Based on the presentation in

this Summer School, this review article was written. A special thank goes to Dr Hasrat

Arjjumend for his initiation and Dr. Lila Khatiwada for valuable suggestions and

grammar correction.



14. References

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farm crop diversity. In: B.R. Sthapit, P. Shrestha and M.P. Upadhyay (eds.), On-

farm management of agrobiodiversity in Nepal: Good practices. Kathmandu:

NARC, LIBIRD and Bioversity International, pp. 9-12.

Bioversity International (2017). Agrobiodiversity Index. Program Oversight. A paper

presented in 49th Board Meeting of Bioversity International, Rome, Italy, 10 – 12

May 2017.

Borcard, D., Gillet, F. and Legendre, P. (2011). Numerical ecology with R. LLC:

Springer Science+Business Media.

Grum, M. and Atieno, F. (2007). Statistical analysis for plant genetic resources:

clustering and indices in R made simple. Handbooks for Genebanks, No. 9. Rome:

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Gurung, R., Sthapit, S.R, Gauchan, D., Joshi, B.K. and Sthapit, B.R. (2016). Baseline

Survey Report: II. Ghanpokhara, Lamjung. Integrating Traditional Crop Genetic

Diversity into Technology: Using a Biodiversity Portfolio Approach to Buffer

against Unpredictable Environmental Change in the Nepal Himalayas. Pokhara:

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Jarvis, D.I., Myer, L., Klemick, H., Guarino, L., Smale, M., Brown, A.H.D., Sadiki, M.,

Sthapit, B. and Hodgkin, T. (2000). A Training Guide for In Situ Conservation

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Joshi, B.K. and Baniya, B.K. (2006). A diversity in qualitative traits of Nepalese

cultivated buckwheat species. Fagopyrum, 23:23-27.

Joshi, B.K. and Shrestha, B.B. (2017). Notes on plant and crop classification. In: B.K. Joshi,

H.B. KC and A.K. Acharya (eds.), Conservation and Utilization of Agricultural Plant

Genetic Resources in Nepal. Proceedings of 2nd National Workshop, 22-23 May 2017,

Dhulikhel: NAGRC, FDD, DoA and MoAD, pp. 17-20.

Joshi, B.K. and Shrestha, R. (eds.) (2019). Working Groups of Agricultural Plant

Genetic Resources (APGRs) in Nepal. Proceedings of National Workshop, 21-22

June 2018, Kathmandu: NAGRC, NARC.

Joshi, B.K., Ghimire, K.H., Gurung, R., Pudasaini, N., Pant, S., Paneru, P., Gauchan, D.,

Mishra, K.K. and Jarvis, D. (2020b). On-farm Agrobiodiversity Measurement and

Conservation. In: B.K. Joshi, D. Gauchan, B. Bhandari and D. Jarvis (eds.), Good

Practices for Agrobiodiversity Management. Kathmandu: NAGRC, LI-BIRD and

Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, pp. 15-24.

Joshi, B.K., Gorkhali, N.A., Pradhan, N., Ghimire, K.H., Gotame, T.P., KC, P., Mainali,

R.P., Karkee., A. and Paneru, R.B. (2020c). Agrobiodiversity and its Conservation in

Nepal. Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council 6: 14-33. DOI:


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and KC, H.B., (2007). On-farm variation and household diversity of pigeon pea

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Compendium of Methods. Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research, Rome.

Pudasaini, N., Sthapit, S.R., Gauchan, D., Bhandari, D., Joshi, B.K. and Sthapit, B.R.

(2016). Baseline Survey Report: I. Jungu, Dolakha. Integrating Traditional Crop

Genetic Diversity into Technology: Using a Biodiversity Portfolio Approach to

Buffer against Unpredictable Environmental Change in the Nepal Himalayas.

Pokhara: LI-BIRD, NARC and Bioversity International.

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index to measure agricultural biodiversity for effectively managing it. In: B.K.

Joshi, H.B. KC and A.K. Acharya (eds.), Conservation and Utilization of

Agriculture Plant Genetic Resources in Nepal. Proceed. 2nd National Workshop,

May 22-23, 2017, Dhulikhel: NAGRC/FDD/MoAD.

https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NARJ/article/view/3371









Funding









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How to cite this paper: Terangpi,

K. (2021). Importance of the

Indigenous Plant Knowledge:

Study of Selected Plant Species

Culturally Used by the Karbi

Community of Karbi Anglong

District, North-East India.


01(01): 65-78. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010104


Reviewed: 05 October 2021








affiliations.





y/4.0/

Editor-in-Chief:








Abstract The North-East region in India is recognized as a major hotspot of biodiversity with a

vast range of flora and fauna. The region extends from the plain areas such as the Barak-

Brahmaputra Valley of Assam to the mountainous regions of Nagaland and Arunachal

Pradesh. The population in the region is just as diverse as its biodiversity with people

residing in plain areas as well as in the hilly and mountainous areas. The vast forest area

and availability of forest resources provide food, medicine, and, to some extent,

livelihood for the different Indigenous people residing in the region; and hence their

dependency and relationship with forest resources are tight knitted. The Karbi tribe is an

ethnic community residing in the Karbi Anglong district in Assam state of the NE region.

Their knowledge of forest resources, familiarity with the intricacies associated with it,

utilization of various plants is found in the natural habitats for everyday purposes along

with owning small and micro-farms have made them quite adaptable to the hilly

environment. In the past, the Karbis mainly resided in the mountainous and hilly areas;

but to access better facilities, most of the people have migrated and settled in the plains.

The era of connectivity and urbanization has affected the forest areas that have gradually

led to the loss of plants in their wild natural habitat, some of which hold a significant

cultural identity and religious beliefs. In the present day, the younger generation has

shifted from old ties and traditions, which might have contributed to the loss of

knowledge about plants used for various purposes and certain Indigenous practices.

Keywords North-East India; Karbis; Cultural and religious beliefs; Medicinal plants

1. Introduction

For centuries, plants have contributed to fulfilling the different needs of humans

for their food, protection, medicines, and livelihood representing the tightly knit

relationship of human interaction with nature and its resources. In developing countries

like China and India, plants are used as medicines by the Indigenous peoples, especially

those residing in rural areas. They incorporate the various parts of plants in their

traditional medicines and practices to treat minor injuries and ailments. There are several

traditional systems of medicine practiced in India, but among them, the most widely

accepted and recognized systems are Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani system (Shakya, 2016;

Chauhan, 2020). Ayurveda, which means the science of life, has originated in India

through folk medicine, and is believed to be a complete medical system because the

well-being of the human body from physical, psychological to spiritual is taken into


ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021




Importance of the Indigenous Plant Knowledge: Study of Selected Plant Species

Culturally Used by the Karbi Community of Karbi Anglong District, North-East India

Kliret Terangpi Department of Botany, Assam Don Bosco University, Tapesia Gardens, Kamarkuchi, Sonapur-782402, Assam, India.



66 Kliret Terangpi


consideration under this science (Ravishankar and Shukla, 2007). The earliest use of

plants for medicinal purposes was documented in the Vedas around 4,500-6000 BC

representing the oldest repository of human knowledge comprising 67 plant species (Pei,

2001). Chauhan (2020) stated that the country has a rich flora and fauna cover and, hence

is an inventory for more than 20,000 plant species having different medicinal properties.

But 7% of the flora are on the verge of extinction. However, in recent years, there has

been renewed interest and ongoing research about the pharmacological traits found in

medicinal plants leading to the rediscovery of new drugs or medicines for the treatment

of illnesses (Shakya, 2016). The majority of the population worldwide is gradually going

back to their roots of using by-products such as medicines or cosmetics sourced from

nature. Such by-products are stated to have lesser harmful side effects compared to the

synthetic drugs and cosmetics widely available in the markets.

The North-East region of India contributes significantly to the medicinal plants'

repository of India, and, hence, it is recognized as one of the major hotspots of

biodiversity. This region comprises eight states and is inhabited by more than 180 major

Indigenous communities out of the total 427 tribal communities existing in India (Sajem,

Rout and Nath, 2008). The different Indigenous people of the region have a close

relationship with plants and are dependent on plants to augment their daily lives in the

form of food, medicines, livestock feed, and livelihood; therefore, the plants have both

economic and medicinal values. Apart from using plants for commercial and medicinal

values, each tribe in the region has its unique interpretation of utilizing plants following

the local traditions, customs and culture, religious rituals and ceremonies or festivals.

Karbi Anglong is a hill district situated in Assam state. The geographical area covered

by the district is 10,434 sq. km situated between 92°10´-93°50´ E and 25°33´-26°35´ N.

The district comprises two different areas – the western part, which is also known as the

Hamren sub-division, and the eastern part, which comprises Diphu and the Bokajan sub-

divisions (Basumatary, Teron and Saikia, 2014). Many tribal communities reside in the

district, but the Karbi tribe is the major ethnic community in the district. Karbi is the

local dialect spoken by this particular ethnic group. These people are deeply embedded

with nature and its resources to meet their daily requirements contributing to their vast

knowledge of wild and medicinal plants. Their traditional medicines are used to treat

minor injuries and ailments, especially by those inhabiting the rural and hilly areas that

do not have immediate access to modern facilities and modern medicines. Originally,

the Karbis are animists in nature, and are known as Aron Ban, as they offer their prayers

to unseen and territorial spiritual beings because they believed that everything in the

universe can be seen and felt. According to them, the sun, moon, sky, forest, rain, wind,

stream, hill, fire, or house all have spirits in it. The Karbi tribe is widely spread over the

East Karbi Anglong district as well as in the West Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

They are said to be the worshippers or followers of 'Hemphu-Mukrang-Rasinja',

and, hence, preferably called themselves as 'Hemphu-Mukrang Aso' meaning the child

of Hemphu and Mukrang. Both plants and animals play an essential role in most of the

religious rituals and ceremonies of the Karbis (Timung and Singh, 2019). Slash and burn

or Jhum cultivation is widely practiced by this tribal community, especially by those

residing in the hilly areas. In the past, the majority of the Karbis inhabited the hilly

regions with easy accessibility to forest resources. Traditional attire also represents the

cultural identity of a person belonging to a particular group in a region or a country, and

the Karbis also have their own traditional attire as well. The Karbi woman attire usually

consists of four parts of cloth, the first being the pekok, a blouse known as jiso, and

lastly, the pini tied around the waist with the help of a vangkok. In the past, most of the

cloth wore by the Karbis were usually dyed with the colors obtained from natural

sources, and the pekok and the pini received their rich dark indigo color from the dye

67 Kliret Terangpi


obtained from the leaves of Sibu or Bujir ( Marsdenia tinctoria R.Br.). The leaves of

Sibu are allowed to soak overnight in warm water and then the thread is dipped into the

colored water for few minutes before it is hanged out to dry for a few days before it can

be woven. The yellow dye is obtained by boiling the peels of several Citrus grandis (L.)

called as Rui-bap in the local language. The traditional attire is woven using traditional

techniques including handloom, which consists of several components such as Har-pi,

The-ning, The-hu, The-langpong, Ah-hieh, Edoi, and Barlim. Almost all the components

are carved out from bamboo, except the Har-pi that is made from the wood of Caryo

taurens Linn. (known as Dok-kichu Arong in the local dialect).

Other than having a diverse culture and traditions, the Karbis also have a vast

knowledge of wild and medicinal plants that are widely used in traditional medicines

and practices as part of their primary healthcare. Traditional knowledge is the

accumulation of forefathers' knowledge, personal experiences with all the trials and

errors passed down orally from one generation to the next generation, and hence, there

are no proper written records or documents found. Most of the knowledge is either kept

in the family or shared only with a few selected people who wished to learn and practice

it later on. In this way, the knowledge is passed on in an unspoken way. At the same

time, the beliefs and traditional rituals, especially among the people in the rural areas,

have indirectly kept the traditional practices and medicines prevalent even in modern

times. In a way, the traditional ceremonies and rituals have been kept alive for a long

time. Nowadays, since there is a demand for natural medicines and products, this

knowledge can be unearthed and documented properly which can even lead to the

rediscovery of drugs. On the other hand, the human population is increasing worldwide

and the demand for more living spaces and food production are eventually leading to

more tampering and loss of natural habitats. Nowadays, medicinal plants are destroyed

or lost when the natural habitats are spoiled for building different infrastructure and more

emphasis is given on growing cash crops, such as wheat or sugarcane. Degradation of

the natural habitats due to farming and lack of awareness about the importance of the

plant is also one of the main reasons why the population of plant species has declined in

their wild habitats.

2. Methodology

The present study was undertaken among the Karbis residing in Diphu town

situated in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, whereas its adjacent areas such as

Rongjangphong, Lorulangso-II, Ram Teron Village, and Rongkhelan were visited

during June 2021-August 2021. From the adjacent villages of Diphu, a total of 25

respondents were interviewed (age between 27 and 56 years). They were randomly

selected consisting of 10 males (4 of them were traditional practitioners) and 15 females.

The sampling was snowball sampling wherein the information was gathered from

traditional healers, religious practitioners and local households through unstructured

interviews and personal observations. Unstructured interviews can be defined as the

interviews that are flexible and does not consist of a prepared questionnaire beforehand,

hence there are no specifications in the wording or order of the questions to be asked.

The questions in this type of interview are spontaneously asked depending on the interest

of the respondent in a specific topic and the said topic is explored in an unrestricted

manner (Ahuja, 2001). Before the interview, the purpose of the study was explained

along with the verbal consent from each of the informants was taken. The information

along with photographs of the selected plant species was documented along with

referring to relevant past articles and works of literature for their identification along

with the scientific names (Teron, 2006; Teron, 2008; Borthakur and Teron, 2012,

68 Kliret Terangpi


Basumatary, Teron and Saikia, 2014; Singha and Timung, 2015; Timung and Singh,

2019). Few of the questions that were asked during the interview included:

1. What are some of the plants and their parts used in religious

rituals and ceremonies in Karbi culture?

2. Are there any taboos or beliefs involved when performing

the religious ritual?

3. What are the reasons that have caused the loss of traditional

knowledge and traditions among the Karbi youth?

4. Among the plant species mentioned, are there any plants

used in the preparation of traditional medicine?

5. Other than being used in Karbi traditions and customs, are

there any other uses of the selected plant species?

Fig 1: Map of Karbi Anglong district showing the block and sub-divisions headquarters

3. Results and Discussions

3.1 The Cultural Identity of the Karbi Tribe, Jambili Athon

The traditional symbol of the Karbi tribe is known as Jambili Athon, which is

usually made during the death ceremony observed by the Karbis. It is known as

Chomangkan, and, among the other festivals or ceremonies, it is considered the most

expensive festival of the Karbis (Teron, 2008). This festival is held to honor many

generations of ancestors who have passed away so that a safe passage is ensured for their

souls to reach the village of the afterlife known among as Chom Arong. It is believed

that if the Chomangkan festival is not held properly, the souls or spirits will wander on

the Earth and never reach the spiritual village. Therefore, the festival is held only after

meticulous planning and utmost care. It goes on continuously for 4-5 days from dusk to

dawn without any breaks in between. The mourn songs are sung, and ritual rites are

chanted by the elderly women (religious women). Jambli Athon, which is used for the

69 Kliret Terangpi


mourn festival Chomangkan, can only be made using the wood of Wrightia arborea

(Densst.) Mabb. The local informants mentioned that, in the past, after carving the

Jambili Athon it was kept aside for several weeks until the wood eventually had to

blacken. Nowadays, as the symbol has become part of cultural identity for the Karbi

tribe, it is carved out on a large scale and dyed with a synthetic black dye. It can be seen

in almost every household of the Karbis even if it is a miniature version that has added

commercial value.

3.2 Se-Karkli, An Important Religious Ritual of Cultural Identity

There are many religious rituals, ceremonies or festivals observed among the

Karbi tribes, such as Chomangkan, Chojun and Rongker. These are socio-religious

ceremonies when the entire community or entire village comes together. Se-Karkli is the

most significant among them, as it is only practiced by the Karbi tribe contributing to

the cultural identity Se-Karkli is a religious ritual where the prayers and offering of a

sacrifice are carried out to appease the various deities or supernatural beings that the

Karbis believed in, such as the sky God. Arnam means God in the local dialect, and

among all the supernatural beings, Hemphu Arnam is the most dignified and supreme

God of the Karbis. The religious ritual can only be performed by the religious man

(priest) known as Kurusar. Some of the Kurusar are also traditional practitioners or

healers owning to their vast knowledge of wild and medicinal plants. The knowledge of

one Kurusar is passed on to the next male or son in the family. The practice of Kurusar

is mostly preserved or kept within the family. If a person from outside the family wants

to learn or practice, he has to be an apprentice of a previous learned Kurusar. Several

plants are involved for performing the ritual of Se-Karkli such as freshly powdered rice

is mixed properly with water to prepare the Hor Alang and the prepared Hor Alang is

stored in a small, cleaned and dried bottle gourd (Langenaria siceraria Standley) at the

beginning of the ritual. Usually, the young and slender stalk of a particular bamboo

species known as kaipho (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) is used for the ritual. The resin,

known as hijung ke-ik, is obtained from Canarium resiniferum (Brace ex. king) along

with the leaves of banana (Musa) locally called Loh or Lothe Arvo, and the leaves of

tuluhi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) play major roles for performing the ritual. The plant parts

used in the ritual have different purposes and meanings. The leaves of banana are used

as a platter to keep the offerings; tulukhi is used for purifying the water; resin of hijung

ke-ik is ignited as incense when the sacrifice is offered; and smoke is emitted from the

resin continuously until the ritual is complete.

3.3 Hor, An Important Alcoholic Beverage of the Karbis

The alcoholic beverage of the Karbi tribe, known as Hor, plays an integral role in

their socio-cultural life. Different ethnic tribes in the region have their unique method of

preparing the alcoholic beverages made from almost the same or different ingredients.

Several ingredients and processes are involved in the preparation of Hor and the

ingredients are mainly obtained from different plants. The locally prepared rice cake

(thap) is the yeast starter for the alcohol, and it is prepared by pounding the soaked rice

together with the leaves of Croton joufra Roxb. (locally known as Marthu). It is added

to the mixture along with the bark of Acacia pennata Willd. commonly known as Themra

(Teron, 2006). Sometimes, the leaves of Jangphong (jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophllus

Lamk.) are added to the mixture. The mixture is then shaped into little rice balls that are

allowed to dry for 3-4 days before using for the preparation of traditional rice beer. There

are two types of Hor prevalent in Karbi culture: Hor Alang and Hor Arak. The former is

prepared by soaking the cooked rice already mixed with thap in cold water for 2-3 days

in a pot. It is consumed in the summer season, as it has a cooling effect. To prepare the

70 Kliret Terangpi


latter, the soaked rice is mixed with the thap and kept for a maximum of 5 days before

it is cooked over the fire for several hours when the steam is allowed to accumulate

leading to the production of distilled alcohol. The Karbis use Hor Alang more than Hor

Arak on several occasions, such as cultural and religious rituals including SehKarkli,

Chojun and Rongker. The traditional marriage of the Karbis, known as Adam-Asar, is

incomplete without HorAlang stored in Bongkrok, which is made from the dried and

empty shell of the bottle gourd, Langenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl. Depending on the

occasion, the different sizes and shapes of the bottle gourd serve different purposes. The

larger size is preferred for the marriage ceremonies, whereas the smaller one is used for

Se-Karkli (Teron, 2006).

3.4 Knowledge Based on Plants

Although the selected plants play a significant role in the cultural identity and

traditions of the Karbi tribe, few of them are also used as medicine by the traditional

healers or practitioners who incorporate plant parts in traditional medicines for treating

minor injuries or ailments. The plant species are enumerated in alphabetical order with

information regarding its botanical name, vernacular name, part of the plant used as

medicine, and lastly, the preparation and uses of the plant species have been mentioned

in the table 1 below.

Table 1: Some of the plants with medicinal value used by the Karbis to treat minor

ailments Serial

No.

Botanical Name Family Vernacular

name

Parts used Mode of preparation and uses

1. Acacia pennata Willd. Mimosaceae Themra Bark,

Leaves

The bark is dried properly and

pounded together with thap until a

fine powder is obtained. This

powder is put directly on the wound.

A clean cloth is bandaged over it.

2. Canarium resiniferum

Brace ex. King

Burseraceae Hijung ke-ik Resin The resin is crushed into a fine

powder, which is pounded together

with fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa

Linn.) until a fine paste is obtained

and applied to wounds and boils and

bandaged with a clean cotton cloth.

3. Dendrocalamus

hamiltonii

Poaceae Kaipho The whole

plant

The outer or inner part of the

bamboo is scarped continuously

with the help of a knife until a fine

powdery substance is obtained and

applied directly on minor cuts and

injuries to stop the bleeding.

4.

Wrightia arborea

(Densst.) Mabb.

Apocynaceae Bengvoi ke-

lok

Bark A thin layer is scraped carefully

from the bark and ground into a fine

paste. The paste is applied directly

onto the skin to treat boils.

Bamboo, which is a versatile plant species known to mankind, has been used by

the Karbi tribe for ages for various purposes. There is bamboo (Chek) folklore (Chek-

keplang alun) passed from one generation to the next generation through oral traditions

(Singha and Timung, 2015). The particular bamboo species, locally known as Kaipho,

is extensively used by the Karbis as food, medicine, or shelter to craft artifacts and

objects used in their daily lives. Karbi houses, called Hem Theng-song (meaning house

built on top of a wood or tree), mostly seen in remote rural areas, are entirely built using

71 Kliret Terangpi


bamboo from the flooring and doors to the walls and ceilings. To main entry to the house,

the ladder called Don-Don, is also made using bamboo. Some of the cultural artifacts

and objects weaved by the Karbis from Kaipho are Beleng (it is a large circular mat

bound with cane splits around the rims) often used for winnowing paddy and rice. Hak

(it is a cylindrical basket that has various sizes) is mostly used for carrying jhum by-

products other than being used for special occasions and festivals such as during Adam-

Asar. It is customary to carry the bongkrok filled with horlang in Hak as part of marriage

ritual. Some products used for daily purposes such as Vo-um (cage for domestic fowls

having various shapes and sizes) or Tar (bamboo mat) are also made from bamboo.

Therefore, it can be stated that the bamboo is a very valuable plant resource for the

Karbis (Borthakur and Teron, 2012).

Edible food items are also prepared from the young bamboo shoot called Han-up,

which acts as a souring agent in meat dishes, especially in pork and fish. Themra, which

is sold in the local markets mainly by the women of the Dimasa tribe, is one of the most

important ingredients needed to make and is used to ferment the cooked rice before the

alcoholic beverage is prepared. Hor is very important for the people in the rural areas,

as they are dependent on it for their source of income. At the same time, it can ruin the

well-being and health of the person who consumed at an excessive rate. Hor is always

prepared by the woman in the family. If it is needed in bulk for a big festival or large

occasion, then a group of women is formed who handle the preparation of the alcohol.

Apart from being used for carving the traditional symbol of the Karbis, Wrightia arborea

(Densst.) Mabb., it also plays the role as medicine since its bark is used for treating boils.

The resin of the Canarium resiniferum is important for many religious ceremonies and

rituals and sold in the local markets at large scale thus adding to its economic value. The

resin is mostly used as medicine or as a mosquito repellant.

4. Conclusion

The present study is a contribution towards preserving the traditional knowledge

along with creating awareness and curiosity simultaneously for future researchers, as

there is still a huge scope to explore the plants used by different Indigenous people in

the region. Documenting the knowledge will be helpful in the long run as most of

younger generation of 21st century has no interest in following the footsteps of the older

generation. There is also a reluctance among the traditional healers in sharing the

information of the medicinal plants with the local people, and hence only a few or no

written records are found. But there has been a renewed interest in the plants used in

traditional medicines. Ongoing research can be used for the improvement and discovery

of new drugs and medicines, which will be beneficial for human healthcare in the present

and future. Considering the present scenario, the human population are becoming aware

of using the products sourced from nature due to lesser or negligible side-effects

compared to the allopathic medicines. The people in rural areas should be made aware

of the importance of medicinal plants in their wild habitats. In a way, it can aid their

conservation; but, there is an urgent need to conserve and preserve germplasm of such

plants so that there is a sustained supply of raw materials to meet future demands and

research.

5. Acknowledgement

The author is thankful to all the traditional, religious practitioners and local

informants for their hospitality and for sharing their valuable knowledge regarding the

importance of plants in the traditions and culture of the Karbi tribe.

72 Kliret Terangpi


6. References

Ahuja, R. (2001). Research Methods. Jaipur: Rawat Publications.

Basumatary, N., Teron, R. and Saikia, M. (2014). Ethnomedicinal Practices of the Bodo-

Kachari Tribe of Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Int. J. Life Sc. Bt. & Pharm.

Res., 3(1): 161-167.

Borthakur, S.K. and Teron, R. (2012). Traditional uses of bamboos among the Karbis, a

hill tribe of India. Bamboo Science and Culture, 25(1): 1-8.

Chauhan, K. (2020). Role of Ethnobotany on Indian Society: A review. Journal of

Arts,Culture, Philosophy, Religion, Language and Literature, 4(2): 109-111.

Pei, S. (2001). Ethnobotanical Approaches of Traditional Medicine Studies: Some

Experiences from Asia. Pharmaceutical Biology, 39(1): 74-79. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.39.s1.74.0005.

Ravishankar, B., and Shukla, V.J. (2007). Indian Systems of Medicine: A Brief profile.

Afr. J. Trad. CAM., 4(3): 319-337. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v4i3.31226.

Sajem, A.L., Rout, J. and Nath, M. (2008). Traditional Tribal Knowledge and Status of

Some Rare and Endemic Medicinal Plants of North Cachar Hills, District of

Assam, Northeast India. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 12: 261-275.

Shakya, A.K. (2016). Medicinal Plants: Future Source of New Drugs. International

Journal of Herbal Medicine, 4(4): 59-64.

Singha, N.K. and Timung, L. (2015). Significance of Bamboo in Karbi Culture: a Case

Study among the Karbi tribes of Assam (India). International Journal of

Advanced Research in Biology and Bio-Technology, 1(1): 1-9.

Teron, R. (2006). Hor, the Traditional Alcoholic Beverage of Karbi tribe in Assam.

Natural Product Radiance, 5(5): 371-388.

Teron, R. (2008). Traditional woodcraft, Jambili Athon of the Karbis. International

Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 7(1): 103-107.

Teron, R. and Borthakur, S.K. (2012). Traditional Knowledge of Herbal Dyes and

Cultural Significance of colours among the Karbis Ethnic Tribe in Northeast

India. Ethnobotany Research & Applications, 10: 593-603.

Timung, L. and Singh, N.K. (2019). Cultural Implication of “Chinthong Arnam” Ritual

Practice and the Significance of Plants and Animals: A Case Study among the

Karbis of Assam, India. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

and Innovations, 7(2): 332-340.

73 Kliret Terangpi


Fig. 2: The cultural identity and symbol of the Karbi tribe, Jambili Athon

Fig. 3: Preparation of some plants by the religious person, Kurusar before performing the religious ritual, Se-Karkli

74 Kliret Terangpi


Fig. 4: Traditional ceremony of the Karbi tribe, Se-Karkli performed by the religious person, Kurusar

Fig. 5: A Karbi woman weaving a clothing piece of the women traditional attire known as the Pekok

75 Kliret Terangpi


Fig. 6: Process of preparing the traditional alcoholic beverage, HorArakby a Karbi woman

76 Kliret Terangpi


Annexure-I

SELF-DECLARATION FORM


The nature and extent of community engagement should be determined jointly by the

researcher and the relevant community or collective, taking into account the

characteristics and protocols of the community and the nature of the research.

If your research involved/involves the Indigenous Peoples as participants or respondents,

you should fill in and upload this Self-Declaration and/or Prior Informed Consent (PIC)

from the Indigenous Peoples. [Please read carefully

https://grassrootsjournals.org/credibility-compliance.php#Research-Ethics]

1. Conditions of the Research

1.1 Was or will the research (be) conducted on (an) Indigenous land, including reserve,

settlement, and land governed under a self-government rule/agreement or?

Yes

1.2 Did/does any of the criteria for participation include membership in an Indigenous

community, group of communities, or organization, including urban Indigenous

populations?

Yes. What kind of membership?

By birth, as a member of an indigenous community (Karbi) of Assam, India.

1.3 Did/does the research seek inputs from participants (members of the Indigenous

community) regarding a community’s cultural heritage, artifacts, traditional knowledge,

biocultural or biological resources or unique characteristics/practices?

Yes

1.4 Did/will Aboriginal identity or membership in an Indigenous community used or

be used as a variable for the purposes of analysis?

Yes

2. Community Engagement

2.1 If you answered “Yes” to questions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4, have you initiated or do

you intend to initiate an engagement process with the Indigenous collective, community

or communities for this study?

Yes

2.2 If you answered “Yes” to question 2.1, describe the process that you have followed

or will follow with respect to community engagement. Include any documentation of

consultations (i.e., formal research agreement, letter of approval, PIC, email

https://grassrootsjournals.org/credibility-compliance.php#Research-Ethics

77 Kliret Terangpi


communications, etc.) and the role or position of those consulted, including their names

if appropriate:

The study was carried out by conducting a field trip to nearby areas of local

residents in Diphu, Karbi Anglong District. The respondents who were

familiar with the territory were randomly selected from the indigenous

community having knowledge of their traditional rituals and practices. The

respondents were guided by people known to me and the information was

gathered by asking relevant questions and noting down their responses apart

from personal observations. No formal consent was obtained from local

authorities but the verbal consent of each and every respondent was taken

before the interview.

3. No Community Consultation or Engagement

If you answered “No” to question 2.1, briefly describe why community engagement will

not be sought and how you can conduct a study that respects Aboriginal/ Indigenous

communities and participants in the absence of community engagement.

Not applicable.

Name of Principal Researcher: Kliret Terangpi

Affiliation of Principal Researcher: Assam Don Bosco University, Tapesia Gardens,

Kamarkuchi, Sonapur-782402, Assam.

Declaration: Submitting this note by email to any journal published by The Grassroots

Institute is your confirmation that the information declared above is

correct and devoid of any manipulation.

78 Kliret Terangpi








Funding









Flora. Yes


Has this research involved Indigenous Peoples as participants or respondents? Yes

Compliance to Ethics Guidelines for Conducting Research on Indigenous Peoples

and/or Traditional Knowledge

Has the author fulfilled the conditions of the Ethics Guidelines to conduct the research

on the Indigenous Peoples and/or Traditional Knowledge? Yes

(Optional) PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses)

















How to cite this paper: Udrea, L.,

Teodorescu, G., Morărița, S.V.

and David, I. (2021). Study on the

Diversity of Products Obtained

from Sheep in the Current

Bioeconomy Context.


01(01): 79-95. Doi:

https://doi.org/10.33002/aa010105


Reviewed: 05 October 2021








affiliations.





y/4.0/

Editor-in-Chief:








Abstract A concern for the growth and utilization of sheep is raised since ancient times in

Romania. The development of livestock sector is determined by the climate and the

geographical configuration with the availability of grasslands maintained by

transhumants. The pastoralism founded a domestic processing of milk, wool and leather

products with positive socio-economic implications on material and spiritual life of local

people. The sheep breeds prevailed until the 20th century were ‘Tucana’ and ‘Stogose’

and, to a lesser extent, ‘Tisigai’. These breeds, generally unimproved, have a profound

fitness and resistance to harsh weather conditions. These breeds were also fit for

traveling long routes in search of food. The utilization of a sheep breed is determined by

the national economic demand, productivity potential of the breed, available,

technology, improvement and utilization methods of the breed. The said sheep breeds

were appreciated because they produce a diversity of products having superior

nutritional or economic values. It is known especially for its white wool, which is used

in domestic industry for making clothes and other products including artifacts, textiles,

Persian carpets, etc. Considering the local natural conditions and the national economic

demands, the sheep husbandry was assisted continuously to support intensive and

multilateral development producing the necessary raw materials for the textile, fur,

leather and food industry. Both research and the technical developments have

contributed to the zootechnical field geared to resolve the problems appeared in the

development of sheep. The scientific knowledge and expertise need to be combined with

application skills leading to the development and modernization of complex

technologies helping growth of sheep products.

Keywords Sheep; Wool; Milk; Bioeconomy; Meat

1. Introduction

The sheep (Ovis vignei) is appreciated for both the diversity of its products and its

superior nutritional and economic values (Alexandru, 2009). Considering the local

natural conditions and the demands of the national economy, currently the sheep


ISSN 2564-4653 | 01(01) Nov 2021




Study on the Diversity of Products Obtained from Sheep in the

Current Bioeconomy Context

Lavinia Udrea1, Gabriela Teodorescu*2, Sînziana Venera Morărita3, Ivona David4

1Department of Environmental Engineering, Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania.

Email: [email protected] | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8277-0014 2Department of Environmental Engineering, Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania.




*Corresponding author

80 Lavinia Udrea, Gabriela Teodorescu, Sînziana Venera Morărița, Ivona David


breeding is an important sector of animal husbandry, which has been oriented, stimulated

and supported to achieve intensive and multilateral development ensuring domestic

production of raw materials for the textile, fur, leather and food industries (Alexandru,

2010). This explains why sheep had a spread to the entire globe, more in temperate areas

and less in humid cold or humid hot areas. Therefore, sheep products need to be

understood through the prism of economic efficiency using recent scientific literature

focusing new technologies to harness the productive potential of the sheep (Ilisiu et al.,

2013).

Historically, special attention was paid to the practical ways of intensifying the

sheep breeding and harnessing the products in the wake of new agriculture revolution in

Romania. Interests in sheep increased with the development of agriculture and socio-

economic aspects generating new demands for food and raw materials of animal origin

(Amalia and Simona, 2019). Thus, the need arose to create new productive breeds of

sheep, simultaneously with the recent advancement of breeding and exploration

technologies having increased efficiency.

The research and the technical developments have contributed to rising sector of

animal husbandry in order to solve the contemporary problems posing sheep breeding.

Depending on the evolution of socio-economic factors and the organizational

framework, the utilization of sheep evolved through many stages (Gavojdian et al.,

2012). However, current trends in sheep farming are based mainly on market

requirements, biological characteristics of sheep breeds, and the environmental

conditions (see Table 1).

Table 1: The evolution of sheep worldwide 2017-2019

Continent Number in 2017 Number in 2018 % Change to total in 2019

Africa 164.859 183.562 +1.34

North America 22.410 21.961 -2.92

Asia 293.778 324.561 +21.45

South America 102.563 107.790 6.45

Europe 126.343 134.249 +5.55

Total 1,044.316 1,120.092 +4.15

As highlighted in table 1, large increases in sheep numbers have been recorded in

Asia, followed by Africa and Europe, while the other continents mark a slight decrease.

In some transoceanic countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, there are large sheep

farmers. Until recently the production of sheep is chiefly for harnessing the wool; and

now a crossbreed ‘Corriedale’ is raised for meat and wool. In Eastern Europe and the

Balkans, the meat production has increased along with wool, milk and skins. A preferred

breed of sheep is the one that has medium size, high adaptability and crossbreeding traits

with other breeds, and gives mixed production, precociousness and prolificacy. With this

background, in the present paper, the Indigenous sheep breeds, Tisigai and Turcana, are

analyzed to understand sheep raising practices and to identify the factors that lead to an

increase and improvement of wool, milk, and meat production.

2. Study Area

This study concentrates on the growth of the sheep from Prahova area situated in

the Carpathian curvature. The breeding area of the two sheep breeds - Tisigai and

Turcana - starts from the north of Dambovita area, adjacent to Buzau. This site stretches

over an area of 30-40 km on the hilly altitude of 600-800 m.



3. Description of Sheep Breeds

The Ţisigai breed (Figure 1) comes from the Ovis vignei arkal. From the southeast

of the Caspian Sea, where it was domesticated, it spread first into Asia Minor, then in

the south of the Soviet Union, and in the Danube Mouth region and Dobrogea

(Romania). From here, it spread to the rest of Romania, and to Bulgaria, Yugoslavia,

Hungary, Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. Over time, because of transhumance and the

geo-climatic conditions in Romania, two ecotypes within Ţisigai breed emerged. The

"plain" ecotype has massive body with higher yield of wool and meat; another one is

"mountain" ecotype having less body mass. The first ecotype is more popular among the

herders and livestock raisers.

Figure 1: Tisigai breed of sheep

Before 1950, the Ţisigai breed grew in compact herds, in a smaller area, in the

South-Eastern Plain and in the Dobrogean Plateau. Around 1950, the “țigaizare”

(crossing the Ţurcană breed with the Ţisigai breed) took place on a large scale in the

Bărăgan Plain, in the hilly and plateau areas in the south of the country, inside the

Carpathian arch, in Transylvanian and the south and center of Moldova. At the beginning

of this century, on the slopes of the Bucegi Mountains, in the localities of Teşila and

Trestienii de Sus (Prahova area), and in the submontane areas of Covasna, Harghita and

Mureş counties, Ţisigai de şes breed was adapted, and crossbreed of the Ţurcană breed

(Figure 2) was adopted along with the mountain ecotype of the Ţisigai breed.

Currently, the Ţisigai breed represents about 26% of the total numbers of sheep

in Romania, and is raised in the hilly, plateau, depression areas, and, to a lesser extent,

in some sub-mountain areas. The Ţurcană breed also comes from Ovis vignei arkal,

having phylogenetic evolution and obvious phenotypic similarities, production,

resistance and behavior resembling some breeds and other rustic breeds from Bulgaria,

Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, former URSS. It is the oldest breed in Romania, and its

evolution dates back to ancient times.



Figure 2: Turcană sheep

Figure 3: Rotca sheep



The Turcana (Figure 2) continues to be the breed that holds the highest proportion

(40%) of the total population. 3-4 decades ago, it represented over 60% of the population,

growing both in the lowland and hill and mountain areas by virtue of its exceptional

resistance and adaptability to different natural environmental conditions. This was

maintained until 1950-1955 when the transformation of sheep was undertaken from thick

wool sheep into semi-fine and fine wool producing sheep. It was accomplished by crossing

Turcana with Ţisigai in the hilly areas, and with Merinos in the plain areas. At present, it is

widespread in the sub-mountainous and mountainous areas of the country, but sporadic herds

continue to be increased in the hilly areas as well. Within this Turcana breed, 4 phenotypic

variances are distinguished: white, black, grey and rotca. The white variety is the most

frequent and widespread. It is especially appreciated for white wool from which clothes,

Persian carpet and other folk-art products are made. This variety is the best milk producer

breed. The black variety is raised in small numbers, especially in central and northern

Romania where the sheep are crossed with Karakul rams to obtain skins. The grey variety is

widespread in the hilly and sub-mountainous areas of northern Moldova, adjoining the

localities of Bacău, Botoşani, Suceava and Piatra-Neamţ. Both wool and "embers" are

Brumaire. Due to their distinct morphoproductive characteristics and reproductive isolation,

the Brumaire variety can be considered an independent breed. The improvement of this

variety is to obtain valuable skins and to increase the milk production. The rotca variety

(Figure 3) differs from the other varieties, especially by its "cap" horns twisted in the shape

of a corkscrew, which is why it is having a different phylogenetic evolution.

4. Methodology

This research was performed on Tisigai and Turcana breeds of sheep. The total

number of animals was 413 heads (Table 2). The age of the sheep studied was between

5 months and 6 years. The samples were analyzed for herd, milk production, wool

production, meat production, the production of skins, furs and hides, the shelters and

veterinary sanitary requirements during sheep breeding.

In the table 2, data of Ţisigai and Ţurcană sheep breeds is presented. In the two

breeds, a very small percentage of sheep is registered having problems. Out of total 413

sheep, 202 (49%) sheep were milking, while 100 (24%) were barren sheep. 20 sheep had

problems with calving. The feeding of sheep consists of grazing during the summer at low

altitude and alpine pasture, and the fodder is produced within the farm during the winter.

Table 2: The sample of the sheep Țisigai and Țurcană studied

Breeds Total No. of

Animals

Sheep

producing

milk

Barren

sheep

Sheep having

problems

Rams Other

sheep

Turcana 228 100 60 15 10 43

Tisigai 185 102 40 5 6 32

Total 413 202 100 20 16 75

5. Result and Discussion

5.1 Milk Production

Since the Ţurcană breed among all local breeds produces more milk, the milk

production, on an average, is 80-110 liters per lactation (Lavinia, 2018); whereas

improved variety of this breed produces 140-160 liters. The protein content is between

5.70% and 5.83% (Table 3). The fat content of milk progressively increases as the



lactation progresses. Similarly, the protein content also increases (Șonea, Maria, and

Ionela, 2020), but has lower values.

Table 3: Monthly dynamics of the average protein content (n = sample size)

Year

n

Average

% of

protein

per

lactation

Average percentage of protein per lactation per month

Month

1

Month

2

Month

3

Month

4

Month

5

Month

6

Month

7

2015 45 5.83 5.69 5.86 5.10 5.86 6.13 6.38 -

2016 52 5.70 5.59 5.63 5.07 5.68 6.03 6.21 -

2017 50 5.77 5.62 5.73 5.11 5.79 5.98 6.42 -

2018 45 5.79 5.59 5.69 5.09 5.83 5.86 6.04 6.48

2019 25 5.86 5.68 5.72 5.13 5.69 6.11 6.19 6.56

In terms of fat content or protein content, the sheep reared at lower altitude are no

significantly different from those raised in high-altitude (alpine) pastures. In both the

cases, the protein content marked a slight decrease in the third month, which corresponds

to the largest amount of milk (Lavinia, 2018). It shows that sheep raised in low altitude

meadows are better than those raised in alpine pastures for the purpose of hay production

(Lavinia, 2017). The use of low altitude meadows for hay production is more rational

than their use as pasture.

5.2 Wool Production

The structure of the sheep hairs is important for wool production. The fibrillar

composition and shape of the strands are determined by the characteristics of the follicular

group. The hair follicles exist in two layers: one deeper layer correspond to the primary

follicles, which generate long and thick fibers; and another superficial layer corresponds to

the secondary follicles that generate short and thin fibers responsible for determining

structurally the conical shape of the strand. In general, the wool produced from the hairs of

Ţurcană sheep is rough. When washed, it loses 30%-35% of weight (Figure 4). The washing

efficiency varies between 65% and 70% in the sheep raised in mountainous conditions. The

amount of wool varies depending on the feeding conditions and the growing area.

Wool production, calculated at STAS yield of 53% (Table 4), resulted on an

average amount of wool per animal is given in table 4 having values of standard

deviation and coefficient of variability.

Table 4: Data of wool production by Turcana breed

Year Rams Adult sheep

n x ± sx s cv n x ± sx s cv

2015 17 3.87 ± 0.08 0.34 8.78 345 2.75 ± 0.75 0.75 27.24

2016 20 3.27 ± 0.08 0.39 11.91 395 2.33 ± 0.02 0.33 14.23

2017 23 3.18 ± 0.07 0.38 11.92 341 2.25 ± 0.01 0.28 12.47

2018 18 3.63 ± 0.11 0.46 12.66 348 2.43 ± 0.30 0.56 23.25

2019 21 3.88 ± 0.07 0.36 9.27 334 2.54 ± 0.01 0.31 12.20

n = sample size

x ± sx = average wool production per animal in kg

s = standard deviation

cv = coefficient of variability in %



Figure 4: Washed wool obtained from the Turcana breed

The wool washing efficiency (Figure 4) is influenced by hereditary characters and

environmental factors. The percentage of impurities in the wool is closely related to the

care and maintenance of sheep during herding, grazing and shelter care. The variation in

the wool production (Table 4) is the outcome of some feeding errors. The most important

physical and technological properties of wool include the length of the strands, the

fineness of the fibers, their strength and extensibility. In general, the characteristics of

wool differ from one ecotype of sheep breed to the another, and show a great variability

in the coat, from individual to individual, both in terms of diameter and length (Figure

3). Such variation is also observed in the type of strand, pigmentation and degree of

corrugation of the wool fibers. According to the absolute length of wool fibers, we have

three types of fibers: long – over 16 cm; medium (9-15 cm) and short 8 cm. Short fibers

have a weight of 30%, medium fibers 46.25%, and long fibers 23%. The absolute

average length is determined on fiber sections and is illustrated in table 5.

Table 5: The relative and absolute length (cm) of the wool fibers

Relative length

(cm)

Absolute length (cm)

n x ± sx cv (%)

24.0 195 12.32 ± 0.48 51.29

27.0 136 16.08 ± 0.34 43.32

20.0 149 11.73 ± 1.30 31.62

23.0 181 13.85 ± 0.31 29.38

17.0 124 9.07 ± 0.39 48.40

20.0 138 9.54 ± 0.51 59.64

18.0 117 9.52 ± 0.36 41.70

24.0 118 12.60 ± 0.56 48.80

16.0 120 9.95 ± 0.33 36.18

21.0 132 12.66 ± 0.45 39.09

n = sample size

x ± sx = average wool production per animal in kg

cv = coefficient of variability in %



The data in the table 6 summarizes that the average diameter the fibers in the

middle section is 72.42 microns in the long ones, 41.22 microns in the medium sized

and 37.13 microns in the short ones. The variability in the diameter of long fibers, which

increases from base to tip, is explained by different feeding conditions during the year

and the physiological condition of the sheep. The larger diameter is obtained in May-

September period when the sheep are grazed and weaned feeding the lambs.

The average diameter is presented in the table 6. On an average, the diameter per

1500 fibres is 50.29 microns with a coefficient of variability of 30.2%. This data exhibit

that the shape and structure of the strand and the degree of corrugation have correlation

with the absolute average length, the average diameter, the types of fiber in the strand,

and the level of wool production. The wool characteristics depend on different biotypes

of the Ţurcană breed. It indicates that the future research must focus on selecting the

most productive biotypes for increasing and improving the wool production. Absolute

tear strength and extensibility are important properties of fiber, as they determine the

strength and plasticity of wool fabrics. These properties are closely correlated with the

fineness of the fiber, in the sense that the fine fibers have a lower strength and

extensibility than the thick ones, thus having a correlation with the body region and

environmental factors.

Table 6: The average diameter of the types of fibers in the strand of Ţurcană sheep

Specification Type of fiber Fiber section

location

Number

of fibers

Diameter (in micron)

x ± sx cv

Sample of

10 sheep

Long middle 500 72.42 ± 0.64 19.4

Medium sized middle 500 41.22 ± 0.58 31.3

Short middle 500 37.13 ± 0.49 29.3

Median - - 1500 50.26 ± 0.52 30.2

5.3. Meat Production

The research undertaken in recent years highlights that the Ţurcană and Ţisigai

breeds are utilized for meat production of superior qualities. The rational use of

improved adult sheep for meat production should be given due importance (Gavojdian

et al., 2012). 20-30% increase in meat quality was recorded if sheep was reconditioned,

thus contributing to raising the economic efficiency of the meat production units based

on large flocks of sheep (Figure 6).

In Romania, out of the 8 million sheep destined for meat production, annually 3

million heads represent the adult, reformed sheep, out of which over 1 million are of the

Ţurcană breed. Therefore, the rational use of reformed adult sheep for meat production is

an action that should be given due importance. Only by reconditioning the reformed sheep

can increase the meat by 20-30% with improvement of its quality, thus contributing to

raising the economic efficiency of the units with large flocks of sheep (Figure 7).

5.4 Production of Hides, Skins and Furs

The Ţurcană breed produces high-quality leathers. The skin from Ţurcană is more

resistant because the collagen fibers are woven together in a denser structure. The skin

is also more resistant to elongation and tearing. This resistance of the skin is the result

of the lower number of hair follicles per unit area. The thickness of the skin is in two

layers: the primary follicles are deeper, and the secondary follicles are closer to the

surface of the skin (Figure 6). The quality of the skins is determined by the conditioning

by a series of natural and genetic factors e.g., individuality, sex, health, skin size during



pruning, physiological condition of the animal, slaughtering season, age, feeding

conditions, care and shelter.

Ţurcană lambs are slaughtered for fur before the wool exceeds 3-5 cm length. Fur

is produced under strict compliance of the sanitary-veterinary measures.

Calendar of sanitary-veterinary actions

Sheep utilization systems guide to take measures to prevent and combat different

diseases.

In sheep, morbidity and losses are the consequence of diseases caused by non-

sanitary conditions. Such diseases are chiefly parasitic diseases, especially those come

from pasture (Figure 9). Therefore, to ensure better health of animals, strict supervision

of sheep applying clinical observations, anatomical-pathological examinations, feed

control, hygiene maintenance, etc. is necessary.

Figure 5: Sheep carcass

The sanitary-veterinary actions undertaken are grouped as follows:

Purpose:

Detection / Prevention / Tackling

Specifics:

Mandatory / Optional / Of necessity

Season:

Stable / Pasture



Growth and exploitation:

Extensive / Intensive

Figure 6: Sheep semi-casing Turcană

Figure 7: Sheep skin coat Figure 8: Prime wool, shearing sheep



Figure 9: Sheep fold

Figure 10: Traditional shelter for sheep



Regarding the sanitary-veterinary actions in the extensive exploitation system,

they are grouped as follows:

a) In the winter season, under stable conditions, the following is performed:

1. general and permanent control of feeding in order to prevent abortions,

infections such as hysteresis, hypogalaxy and lung diseases in lambs;

2. immuno-prophylactic actions, which consist of the serological examination for

the detection of epididymitis and tuberculosis separately; vaccinations against

anaerobiosis, salmonellar abortion and agalaxia;

3. antiparasitic actions, which consist of the detection of scabies, the isolation and

treatment of animals with local lesions, and treatment against fasciolosis, estrosis.

b) In the spring season, once the grazing is done, the following is performed:

1. vaccination against anthrax and enterotoxemia in lambs;

2. organization of prophylactic grazing;

3. antiparasitic actions, such as pasture control and ameliorating and chemical

interventions on them.

Regarding the sanitary-veterinary actions in the intensive fattening system, they are

grouped as follows:

A) For young:

1. Organization of the in-patient and the sanitary-veterinary provider (Figure10);

2. Loss according to possible clinical signs, especially hypotrepsic ones;

prophylactic treatments against pulmonary diseases and against pulmonary and

gastric strongylatoses;

3. Surveillance of feed to avoid indigestion, biochemical indigestion, uro-lithiasis,

listeriosis;

4. Treatments against scabies, monilioze, dictiocaulosis;

5. Vaccinations.

B) For adult sheep:

1. Treatment against scabies, fasciolosis and dictyocaulosis, pododermatitis;

2. Vaccinations against anaerobes, foot-and-mouth disease and anthrax.

The lambs are vaccinated with Evomec and the yolk treatment. The bathing is also

done with Lindaved once a year in spring. Pruning is done twice a year in spring and

autumn.

6. Conclusion

Sheep breeding is a traditional activity. The diversity of the products they produce,

the low energy and fodder consumption make the breeding and utilization of sheep a

sustainable and profitable activity. Raising traditional sheep breeds (e.g., Tisigai and

Turcana) in the mountain areas has sustained for centuries. The local people consider

Tisigai and Turcana sheep breeds perfectly adapting to geo-climatic and transhumance

conditions, providing them with daily necessities, and producing the products for

market. There are areas in Romania having preserved valuable specimens of sheep, the

traditions and customs related to the breeding and harnessing these sheep. These

specimens, which represent the genetic stock of the traditional breeds, can be used in the

larger breeding program of sheep in the mountainous areas of Romania.



7. Acknowledgments

We want to express our gratitude to those sheep breeders in Romania who

welcomed the researchers on their farm and took part in the research.

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Authors’ Contributions (in accordance with ICMJE criteria for authorship)

Contribution Author 1 Author 2 Author 3 Author 4

Conceived and designed the

research or analysis

Yes Yes No No

Collected the data Yes Yes Yes Yes

Contributed to data analysis &

interpretation

Yes No No No

Wrote the article/paper Yes No No No

Critical revision of the

article/paper

Yes No No No

Editing of the article/paper Yes No No No

Supervision Yes No No No

Project Administration Yes No No No

Funding Acquisition Yes No No No

Overall Contribution Proportion (%) 60 20 10 10

Funding





Has this research involved animal subjects for experimentation? Yes


During the research, the authors followed the principles of the Convention on Biological


Flora. Yes




Analyses)

Have authors complied with PRISMA standards? No


Authors have no competing financial, professional, or personal interests from other

parties or in publishing this manuscript. No















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