The traditional lifestyle of the Meiteis and agricultural practices have always performed a first-rate function in retaining bio-variety because of time immemorial. Khoijuman is a village in the Bishnupur district, around 28 kilometers from Imphal, and is populated by 632 families (29511 people as per the 2011 census).
Since ancient times, the village’s inhabitants have relied on the planting of iciness crops, off-season vegetation and greens, and paddy.
The village, located beside the Thongjaorok River, has various plants in the surrounding fields, like a kitchen lawn, which the inhabitants maintain year-round.
One of the village residents, Thiyam Nutan-Chandra (forty-three), conveyed that he planted life crops primarily based on the marketplace demands and introduced that he currently plants beans, women’s fingers, and cucumbers in a portion of his subject.
Stating that he typically plants pulses and board beans in the unfastened areas of his field for the duration of paddy cultivation season, Nutan Chandra said that occasionally, he even cultivates cauliflowers, cabbages, and pulses properly.
The crops aren’t usually planted after consulting with related experts but are planted based on demand and the situation of the soil, he explained, adding that some of the crops that are planted with seeds harvested throughout the preceding season consist of Tangkhul Hawai, extensive beans and mustard however different vegetation are in recent times normally replaced through hybrid ones.
On the other hand, every other villager, Chongtham Khogen (forty-three), stated that the villagers plant unique crop varieties. If one crop fails, they may no longer lose all their assets of profits. They’ve other vegetation to fall back on.
The villagers plant vegetation that can generate proper profits, and it’s pretty easy to keep these crops as nicely, he said.
Kogen persevered that he does not repeatedly plant the same kind of plant life/crops inside the identical file to save your outbreak of plant sicknesses and preserve the plants healthful.
He then pointed out that he cultivates exceptional types of beans, women’s hands, cucumbers, cabbages, and Tangkhul Hawai in his field presently.
Khogen informed that he has already commenced planting cabbage saplings with a plan for early cultivation and added that he uses green pesticides to protect his plants from pests.
Another farmer, Ingudam Sanjoy, who is also a college lecturer, stated that village awareness, especially on plants with high market demand, fetches outstanding earnings.
During the off-season, cabbage, brinjals, and pulses are cultivated, and most of the plants are hybrids, he delivered.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Additional Director of State Horticulture Department M Kirankumar explained that during a cutting-edge time when international warming is turning into an urgent difficulty, cultivation of various sorts of crops in a field helps not best in making sure much less hardship bobbing up because of pests and crop diseases however also enables in maintaining the environment green.
He opined that This is a perfect practice because it also presents earnings possibilities for the farmers.
Indian Council of Agriculture Research Centre, Lamphel, and scientist Dr. Ningombam Arti conveyed that the agricultural exercise of the people of Khoijuman has been surpassed from the early days through revelry.
This is likewise a form of climate exchange version the scientist introduced.
Planting various crops helps in pest control and provides a means of producing income for the farmers; Arti stated that if the concerned professionals complement the farmers in their techniques, it becomes even more superior and productive.
Dr. T Brajakumar, the nodal officer of the state climate change cell and the directorate of environment deputy director, stated that planting various vegetation is an exquisite practice that will also help identify weather-resilient species.
The presence of greeneries is a useful resource in trapping carbon, ensuring the presence of carbon in the soil, and regulating moisture; Dr. Brajakumar said that all must give popularity and laud such farming practices that have been exceeded down from the early days.
Conversely, Manipur University Anthropology Professor W Nabakumar stated that the know-how passed down through some Indigenous human generations is time-tested knowledge. While global warming is becoming an extreme challenge, indigenous knowledge has become useful.
