INDIGENOUS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGES (ITKs) ON TUBER CROPS PRACTICED BY NICOBARI TRIBES IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA

Abstract

The Nicobarese are dominant tribe among the 7 tribes living in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their prime source of livelihood based on plantation crops and fishing .With regard to food crops, they consider the tuber crops such as Greater yam, Colocasia, Tannia, Sweet Potato, Cassava, Arrow Root and Tacca are the staple food and main source of carbohydrate. The present study was conducted in the Nicobari tribes dominated areas at Harminder Bay and Car Nicobar, to document the traditional systems of tuber crops cultivation. The data with respect to tuber crops cultivation were obtained through KI (Key informants), transect walk, group discussion and also from the secondary sources information. The results showed that they practice tuber crops cultivation at three sites viz., backyard system, community garden and virgin forest areas and consume among themselves. It was found that all these three types of traditional systems of tuber crops cultivation are sustainable because of the recycling of biomass and they are not using any synthetic fertilizers and most of the islands are organic by default.