Indigenous knowledge in agriculture, generated by the local people with their own experiences and experimentation to meet their diverse needs, is tightly interwoven with their beliefs, norms and culture. Of late, a great deal of attention is paid to the Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in agriculture and there is a growing awareness about the need for integrating relevant ITKs with the modern technology packages for sustainable agricultural development.

The old and wise persons who are specialists in farming are gradually leaving this world and many of the older farming traditions and the knowledge stored within them are being lost. The changes in farming techniques also accelerate the erosion in the invaluable treasure of indigenous technical knowledge. In the present era of globalisation, farmers are forced to choose crops and enterprises that suit the market opportunities, which invariably bring changes in the farming techniques and utilisation of natural resources. Hence, there is an urgent need to safeguard and reaffirm indigenous knowledge in agriculture which is mostly location specific, environmentally healthy and is characterized by the optimum use of local resources.

North Malabar, comprising Kannur and Kasaragod Districts in Kerala State, is a unique area with respect to culture and farming. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood to the majority of population in this region. In this publication, indigenous knowledge prevalent in the farming community of North Malabar region, collected from various primary and secondary sources are presented.