Reviving indigenous farming knowledge in an input-intensive agriculture system: evidence from Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Indigenous agricultural knowledge including practices such as organic manuring, intercropping, and traditional saved seed use has long supported sustainable farming among smallholder communities in India. In Eastern Uttar Pradesh, however, this knowledge is rapidly disappearing. Based on a survey of 1,768 smallholder farmers led by the Grameen Foundation India (GFI) across Varanasi and Mirzapur, using a stratified random sampling approach and a structured, pilot-tested questionnaire. This study finds that while an average 60 % of farmers still use organic fertilizer but many apply them incorrectly, reducing their effectiveness and potentially affecting soil health and fertility over time, as perceived by farmers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to examine patterns of indigenous knowledge erosion and misapplication. The analysis revealed that the majority of farmers follow monocropping systems, rely heavily on chemical inputs, and exhibit a critical gap between awareness and correct agronomic application of traditional practices. The study recommends community-driven approaches and future action research focused on farmer training, participatory awareness programs, and extension engagement to strengthen the revival of indigenous practices. Bridging this gap is vital for restoring soil fertility, enhancing resilience, and embedding indigenous knowledge in future sustainable land management strategies.