A Study on Traditional Knowledge and Grassroots Innovation in Khejur Gur Production in Belphari Forest Fringe Villages, Jhargram District, West Bengal.

Abstract: The work a study on Traditional Knowledge and Grassroots Innovation in Khejur Gur Production in Belphari Forest Fringe Villages, Jhargram District, West Bengal deals with indigenous knowledge and grassroots innovations that help sustain the traditional practice of date palm jaggery production in the forest-adjacent communities. Additionally, through household surveys, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation, the study documents traditional practices such as manual tapping, clay oven processing, and seasonal scheduling while also identifying innovations in terms of heating chambers, sap collection vessels, and storing techniques. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the socio-economic parameters of 80 households, including landsize and income from Gur production, as well as level of education. Cross-tabulation and Chi-square tests showed significant associations between education and the adoption of innovations, and correlation analysis also showed that the number of date palm trees tapped and the seasonal income earned were positively related to each other. Using Likert scale analysis, the perception of producers was captured on irregular market access, lack of forest tenure rights, and limited institutional support, which were later used to develop a “Production Constraint Index”. The producers, however, despite these challenges, remain resilient, thanks to their adaptive strategies, cooperative practices, and interchange of local knowledge. Findings indicate the realization that Khejur Gur production stands as an economic activity along with cultural expression and ecological engagement. The study finds that with policy interventions in support of traditional knowledge systems, better access to technology, and programs for sustainable forest-based livelihood, rural income security as well as cultural preservation could be supported in forest fringe areas.