A few traditional practices followed by farmers of Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh have been presented below. They are frugal and accessible community solutions to myriad problems in farming, animal husbandry, and household management. These practices were scouted by Mupparapu Raju.
(see HB 28(4):15-16, 2018)
Donkey’s Milk for Cough
Donkey’s milk is reported to be good for children suffering from cough. Children are suggested to be fed 10 ml of donkey’s milk every day. Swamy claims it to improve their immunity from cough and cold.
For more cures of cough and cold, refer to 9(3):9, 1998; 9(4): 7, 1998).
Mao et. Al. studied the anti-proliferative and anti-tumour effects of donkey milk on human lung cancer. (Int Dairy J. 19(11): 703-708. 2009)
Tired and Exhausted Bullock
Add some jaggery to de-oiled groundnut cake. Mix it well and grind to powder. Feed 250g of the powder to the bullock every evening. It is reported to regain its energy.
For more practices on helping bullocks regain energy, refer to Honey Bee, 7(2):9, 1996; 8(3), 1997.
Art of Storing Pulses
For every 10 kg of green gram, a mixture of 500 g turmeric and 500 ml ground nut oil is made. The mixture is stored in the container with the green gram and is reported to save it from insects.
For more ideas on storing pulses and cereals refer to Honey Bee, 9(2):15, 1998; 10(1): 4,1999
Inter-cropping of Marigold for Pest Control
Plant marigold plants at random around the chilli crop. It is reported to save the main crop from pest attack.
Marigold has been reported to be effective for Inter-cropping pest control. (Honey Bee, 10(4): 7,1999; 9(1):12, 1998; 6(1):3, 1995; 9(1):4, 1998)
Ijani & Mmbaga studied the effective use of marigold in controlling of root knot nematodes on tomato plants. (Trop Pest Manage. 34(2):147-149. 1988).
Swelling of Joints among Animals
Kommuka Saraiah
Village Chandraipalli, Duggondi Mandal, District Warangal
Bark of Vavilaaku (Vitex negundo) is powdered and applied on the swelled joint. The powder is reported to give quick relief to the animal.
For more cures to reduce joint swelling, refer to Honey Bee, 15(3):14, 2004; 6(4):10, 1995; 5(3):16, 1994.
Vishwanathan & Basavaraju (EJBS 3(1): 30-42, 2010) discussed the medicinal properties of Vitex negundo.
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