The essentials
Farmers in India developed many natural ways of protecting crops. Texts and folk practice describe the use of neem leaves and seeds, ash, cow urine, mustard, turmeric and smoke to keep away insects and diseases. Stored grain was protected with neem leaves and by keeping storage dry. The Vrikshayurveda also describes treating diseased trees with pastes and decoctions.
Cattle were the backbone of agriculture: oxen ploughed fields and pulled carts, cows provided milk and dung served as manure and fuel. The Krishi-Parashara says that cattle sheds should be clean, dry and free of dung and urine, and that cattle should be well fed and protected from cold. It also gives rules for using bullocks humanely in ploughing. The Arthashastra mentions an officer in charge of cattle (go-adhyaksha) who supervised herds, their feeding and the products obtained from them. Texts on the care of animals include the Hastyayurveda (elephants) attributed to Palakapya and works on horses attributed to Shalihotra.
Key points
- Natural pest control: neem, ash, cow urine, smoke, turmeric.
- Grain storage: dry bins and jars, neem leaves.
- Cattle shed: clean, dry, well ventilated (Krishi-Parashara).
- Go-adhyaksha: Arthashastra officer for cattle.
- Animal medicine: Palakapya (elephants), Shalihotra (horses).
- Panchagavya: a mix of five products of the cow used in traditional practice.
Exam tips
- Remember which text deals with which animal: Hastyayurveda – elephants; Shalihotra – horses.
- Situation questions may ask for an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides — neem is the usual answer.
Common mistakes
- Thinking traditional farmers had no pest control at all.
- Confusing go-adhyaksha (cattle) with sitadhyaksha (agriculture).