Harnessing Ethnobotanical Practices in Organic Farming: Integrating Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Nutrition and Rural Youth Empowerment

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Page: 58-62

Nayanmoni Kalita¹, Kumari Shipra², and Sudhanand Prasad Lal³ (Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar¹, Department of Extension Education and Communication Management
College of Community Science, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar², and Department of Agricultural Extension Education, PGCA, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar³)

Organic farming is gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture promoting eco-friendly and health-conscious agriculture. Ethnobotanical practices-traditional plant-based farming methods- deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge, play pivotal role in organic farming by enhancing soil fertility, pest management, most importantly nutritional security. This study evaluates the coalescence of ethnobotanical knowledge in organic farming among rural youth in Samastipur District of Bihar. Through structured interviews with 120 young organic farmers, the study evaluates their knowledge, adoption levels, and the factors influencing knowledge level of the farmers. The commonly used ethnobotanical practices in the research area include utilizing Tulsi (Holy Basil) as a natural pest repellent, Marigold to improve soil fertility, Moringa for its rich nutritional value, and Castor to produce organic pesticides. The findings reveal that while 65 percent of young organic farmers had fundamental knowledge regarding ethnobotanical practices, however only 40 percent were actively found to be engaged in its practice, primarily obstructed by financial limitations, augmented knowledge dissemination, inadequate formal training, optimized infrastructure assistance and restricted market access. Findings reveal that while traditional knowledge contributes to sustainable farming, challenges such as lack of need based formal trainings, farm to market connectivity, and financial constraints deter widespread adoption. Policy recommendations include targeted financial support, organized and need based training programs, fostering market linkages to encourage the adoption of ethnobotanical practices in organic farming. This research aligns with India’s Vision Viksit Bharat @2047, advocating for sustainable agricultural development and rural youth empowerment.