Indigenous knowledge using medicinal plants to control the Pests and Diseases in Crop Cultivation in Sri Lanka and its scientific basis

Context: Approximately 60% of the rural population is involved in agricultural production as their livelihood in Sri Lanka. Agricultural productivity was sufficient during ancient times, and the traditional knowledge of the control of pests and diseases was successful. Even today, some of the rural farming communities use traditional knowledge in agricultural production. With the introduction of the green revolution in the 1960s, pesticides and insecticides became an integral part of insect and pest control. However, most of the chemical pesticides and insecticides lead to health hazards in human and environmental pollution. Furthermore, many of the insects and pests become resistant to chemical pesticides and have a serious impact on their productivity. Objectives: The aim of this study is to re-introduce the traditional knowledge-based kem methods to control pests and diseases with scientific basis for sustainable agricultural productivity. Methods: Extensive research findings were gathered from journal articles and reports using Google Scholar and other reputed search engines. Furthermore, the informal discussions with rural communities were too gathered on kem methods. Results: Several kem methods using medicinal plants to control insects’ pests and diseases in paddy and other field crops were adapted by ancient farmers. All these methods and the medicinal plants used have a scientific basis to prove the respective kem methods. Conclusions: It is time to return to these traditional knowledge-based kem methods to mitigate pests and diseases in paddy and field crops, and it may contribute to a beneficial influence on agriculture, environment, human health and wellbeing.