Nagaland: IKS research centre to study water management in agriculture & ethnic culinary practices

IANS April 7, 2025 157 views

Nagaland University has established a groundbreaking research center to document and preserve indigenous knowledge systems of water management and traditional cooking practices. The center will focus on studying the unique agricultural and culinary techniques of Nagaland's tribal communities, aiming to understand their sustainability and potential adaptations. With 86.5% of the state's population being tribal, this research holds significant cultural and ecological importance. The project seeks to create a comprehensive record of traditional practices that could inform future agricultural and cultural preservation efforts.

"Traditional knowledge of water-managed systems will be a resource for documentation and sustainability" - Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik
Kohima, April 7: The Nagaland University, the only central varsity in the state, has been sanctioned an ‘Indian Knowledge Systems’ (IKS) Research Centre to study indigenous knowledge systems of water management in agriculture and ethnic culinary practices among the tribal communities of the northeastern state.

Key Points

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Documenting indigenous water management practices in tribal agriculture

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Studying ethnic culinary techniques of Northeastern tribes

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Research center aims to preserve traditional knowledge systems

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Exploring sustainability of indigenous agricultural practices

With two million population, as per the 2011 census, 86.5 per cent of which are tribals, Nagaland is home to various indigenous tribes, each with their own distinct cultural practices, including unique approaches to water management and traditional cooking methods.

A university official said that these systems are crucial for the community’s agricultural livelihoods and cultural identity.

He said that the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) is an innovative cell under the Union Ministry of Education at AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), New Delhi.

He said that the IKS works towards spreading the rich heritage of the country and traditional knowledge in the field of Arts and literature, agriculture, basic sciences, engineering and technology, Architecture, management, and economics, among other fields.

Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik said that the state is home to diverse indigenous tribes, each with unique cultures and practices, including traditional water management systems and ethnic cuisine.

“This traditional knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture and ethnic cuisine among the tribal community of Nagaland will be a resource for documentation and dissemination for further adoption for sustainability,” he said.

Prof Patnaik said that furthermore, based on the findings, the University can also make suggestions to the local communities on improving the system.

“Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the existing system is vital for understanding its sustainability, profitability, societal impact and replicability, under the present scenario of climate change,” he added.

The traditional water management practices in Nagaland are diverse and deeply rooted in the community's culture. These include rainwater harvesting through ponds or wooden tanks, terracing for agricultural erosion control, spring water management, and the use of bamboo to create pipes for long-distance water transportation. These practices are vital for both agriculture and the preservation of the environment.

Nagaland’s cuisine is characterised by bold flavours and local ingredients, with traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.

Elaborating further on the upcoming Research Centre, its Principal Investigator, Chitrasen Lairenjam, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, said that the project idea is to study the fundamentals involved in the practice done by the farmer in managing and sustaining the system.

“This project also aims to document and disseminate knowledge about these practices for future sustainability. Through research, education, and mentoring, the project will assess the relevance of these traditional systems in today’s climate and agricultural context, identify potential gaps, and suggest improvements,” Lairenjam said.

He is optimistic that the study would contribute to understanding the role of indigenous knowledge in sustaining agriculture in Nagaland amidst changing environmental conditions.

The academician said that the focus area of this IKS Research Centre is the indigenous knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture, and traditional ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland for documentation, research, mentoring and dissemination of this knowledge.

Reader Comments

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Priya M.
This is such an important initiative! Indigenous knowledge systems hold so much wisdom about sustainable living. Can't wait to see what they discover about traditional water management techniques. 🌱
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Rahul K.
While I appreciate the research, I hope they'll involve local communities directly in the process rather than just studying them. Traditional knowledge belongs to these communities and they should benefit first from any findings.
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Anjali S.
The bamboo piping system mentioned sounds fascinating! Would love to see documentaries or YouTube videos showing these traditional techniques in action. Modern engineers could learn so much from these age-old solutions.
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Sanjay T.
As someone from Nagaland, I'm thrilled to see our traditional practices getting this recognition! Our elders have been using these water management techniques for generations. Hope this research helps preserve our heritage while improving current systems.
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Meena P.
The culinary research aspect is just as exciting! Naga cuisine is incredibly flavorful and unique. Maybe this will lead to more appreciation and preservation of traditional cooking methods that are at risk of being lost.
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Kiran D.
Interesting project, but I wonder how they'll balance traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation. Some ancient practices might need adaptation for current climate challenges. Hope they find that sweet spot between preservation and innovation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Nagaland University Indigenous Knowledge Systems Water Management Tribal Agriculture Ethnic Cuisine Northeastern India
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