TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND THEIR ROLE IN ORGANIC FARMING IN NANDED DISTRICT

The paper examines the conventional farming traditions in Nanded District, Maharashtra and how they can be applied to organic farming. The area boasts a long tradition of farming practices geared towards sustainability, fertility of the soil, and natural pest management. These traditional practices like crop rotation, organic manures application, and conservation of seeds are consistent with the norms of organic farming. But with the onset of chemical-intensive agricultural practices, these traditional methods have been progressively substituted. This study investigates how these time-tested practices can be incorporated into contemporary organic farming systems for enhanced productivity, conservation of biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. The research entailed field trips, conducting interviews with farmers in the localities, and soil and crop health analysis. The results indicate that the revival and promotion of indigenous farming practices can serve as an effective basis for organic farming in Nanded, minimizing the use of chemical inputs and maximizing long-term agricultural sustainability. The research also points to the difficulties in sustaining these practices among farmers due to limited knowledge, availability of organic inputs, and market infrastructure. The research ends by suggesting ways of integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary organic cultivation methods to improve the sustainability of agriculture in the region.