Indigenous Knowledge in Crop Production and Use of Locally Grown Crops by Tharu Farmersof Triyuga Municipality, Nepal

Purpose: A research was carried out to assess the indigenous knowledge used in crop production cycle and local crops utilized by Tharu community farmers of Triyuga municipality, Udayapur district in 2020. Design/methodology/approach: A purposive random sampling with proportional allocation method was used to select 170 households and structured schedule was used to collect data from respondents. Descriptive statistics along with multiple response analysis, Chi square test, Pearson correlation, probit regression model and 5-point Likert scaling technique were used for data analysis. Findings: The study revealed that per capita income and year of schooling had significant and negative relation with Indigenous Knowledge (IK) use. Sex, resident nearby forest and field work disturb by flood showed significant positive relationship with IK use. Factor, road disturb by flood had significantly affected the IK use. Use of IK in the crop production cycle showed non-significant relationship with local crop utility. Survey revealed ensure good health, poor crop yield and positive change in IK related act and policies found to be a must important merit, demerit and solution of IK use. Whereas, chemical free organic foods, lower crop yield and technical support to farmers were found to be the most important merit, demerit and solution related to local crop utility. Practical implications: The findings of this research can be utilized to reform the policies related to conservation, promotion and improvement of indigenous knowledge and technologies to improve the whole agriculture system. Theoretical implications: Indigenous knowledge related to crop production cycle practiced by Tharu farmers that are undervalued yet will be recognized by every reader. This research will be very helpful to develop the new curriculum of schools and universities including important IKs of different ethnic groups giving them proper credit and recognition. Originality/value: Despite of few research papers related to agricultural indigenous knowledge of particular ethnic groups of Nepal found, this study will be a better initiation and reference to explore such IKs in different ethnic communities at national and inter-nations.