Methodological approach for sustaining indigenous veterinary knowledge of society: Case studies to control of endoparasite from the regions of Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh districts of Gujarat State, India

Ravikumar; R.K; Amol S Kinhekar; Nirmal S. Sahay; Vivek Kumar; Pawan K Singh; Mahesh B Chodvadiya; Vipin Kumar

Volume : V, Issue : X, October - 2015

Methodological approach for sustaining indigenous veterinary knowledge of society: Case studies to control of endoparasite from the regions of Gandhinagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh districts of Gujarat State, India

Ravikumar, R. K, Amol S Kinhekar, Nirmal S. Sahay, Vivek Kumar, Pawan K Singh, Mahesh B Chodvadiya, Vipin Kumar

Abstract :

The nature of livestock system calls for different model of disease control programs that have to be sustainable, cost effective and readily available. Indigenous veterinary medications had provided necessary relief to farmers in regions where accessing quality services from conventional veterinary institutions were limited. This dynamic knowledge system needs to be strengthened, shared to younger generations for sustenance and adoption. A research study was initiated to involve farming communities in experimentation towards control of worm infestation, a framework to recognize custodians of knowledge and to share ways to scale up validated grassroots technologies. Most programs visualize generation of technology at research stations and envisage models to share to farmers. However evidence of originating technologies from farmer’s field based on creative knowledge of society and involving experimentation spirit of community has been limited. During the study efficacy of two indigenous medications in significantly reducing worm infestation were also compared. The study had confirmed the role of indigenous practices at farmer’s field outside the system of origin. The readiness with which community accepted, evaluated and adopted these location specific technologies needs to be emphasized. A non–linear innovation model for sustaining indigenous veterinary medications among farm animals was shared. Scientific evaluation of affordable technologies, recognizing custodian of this knowledge, shå results to them as well as with institutions in their premises will be meaningful to take advantage of fullest potential of indigenous veterinary system