The Story of Indian Farming — Question 9

Some Modern Agricultural Solutions Inspired by Traditional Practices are as follows: Neem-based pesticides: Farmers traditionally use neem leaves to keep insects away. Today, modern neem-based biopesticides are made using the same idea and are used to control pests naturally. Organic manure/compost: Earlier, farmers used cow dung and plant waste to improve soil quality. Modern organic farming still uses compost and bio-fertilisers to keep the soil healthy without chemicals. Crop rotation: Traditional farmers grew different crops in different seasons to keep the soil fertile. Today, scientists recommend systematic crop rotation as a modern soil management technique. Mixed cropping: Earlier, farmers grew more than one crop on the same field. Now, this idea is used in modern intercropping systems to reduce pests and increase productivity. Rainwater harvesting: People traditionally stored rainwater in ponds or tanks. Today, improved techniques like check-dams and groundwater recharge systems follow the same principle. Mulching: Farmers once covered soil with dry leaves or straw to retain moisture. Modern mulching uses plastic sheets or organic materials to reduce evaporation and protect the soil.