This document summarizes a study on indigenous knowledge use in maize cultivation in Hakha Township, Chin State, Myanmar. It conducted interviews with 87 farmers to document traditional practices. Key findings include: - Farmers primarily grow maize for subsistence and as animal feed, using organic methods like zero-tillage, manure application and no chemical pesticides. - Most farming is on home gardens and upland plots with small land sizes. Production focuses on self-consumption with little market participation. - Traditional practices have been developed over generations and include techniques like dibbling seeds, hanging maize cobs for drying, and storing seeds in husks. However, farmers face limitations from lack of technology

1. Indigenous Knowledge Use in Maize
Cultivation in Hakha Township,
Chin State
By
Thuzar Nwe
Yezin Agricultural University
November 20, 2018

2. Introduction
 Maize (Zea Mays L.) - third most important
cereal crop species, after wheat and rice in
the world (Eleweanya et
al.,2005)
 Maize - its multiple purposes - human food,
animal feed and for pharmaceutical and
industrial manufacturing (Huang et al.,
2006)
 Asia countries - increasingly important – the
demand for both national needs and export
 Maize grain yields - temperate developed
world average 8.2 ton/ha, compared to 3.5

3. Introduction( Contd; )
 Indigenous forms of statements are
keys to local level decision making
processes and for the continuation
and spread of indigenous agriculture
(Louise, 1998)
 This knowledge of agriculture has
developed over generations through
the route of men-environment
interaction and its continuity depends
on its transmission and the ability of
the young generation to acquire and

4. Introduction( Contd; )
 Maize- traditional food of Chin Tribe
 11% of respondents – only for feed and
others 89% for both food & feed
Sabuti/buti

5. Objectives
 To identify and document the
indigenous practices of maize growing
farmers in selected area of Chin state
 To be custom and valued of Chin Tribe
related to agriculture

6. Methodology
 Sample size - 87 respondents
 Chin state, Hakha, (5) Villages
- Buanlung
- Chunchung
- Loklung
- Nipi
- Surkhua
 primary and secondary data

7. Methodology (Contd;)
 A simple random
sampling method
 Primary data - structured interviews - key
informants
 Collected data- socio-economic
characteristics, information on indigenous
maize cultivation practices, custom and
values of Chin Tribe related to agriculture
 Secondary data - desk review related
Departments and official publications

8. Data Analysis
 To analyze the data, Microsoft Excel
program, (SPSS ver. 23)

9. Result and Discussion
Age group (yr.)
Respondent
Frequency Percent
>20 3 3.4
21-40 24 27.6
41-60 41 47.1
<60 19 21.8
Total 87 100
Male 32 %
Female 68 %

10. Farming Experiences
32%
27%
17%
17%
6%
1%
Farming experiences
<10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 <50

11. Land Tenure
Lowland
1%
Upland
8%
Homegarde
n
21%
12
19%13
17%
23
24%
123
10%
1= Lowland
2= Upland
3=Home-garden

12. Annual Crop Production
 Year around production Maize, Pea,
Potato, Mustard, Cabbage, Garlic,
Onion, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Pumpkin,
Carrot,
 Strawberry, Grape, Roselle, Ginger,
Sesame, Cilantro, Bitter egg plant,
Tree tomato, Cucumber,
Chili, Avocado, Satchuma,
Pear, orange

13. Credit availability of farmers
from different Organizations
Loan
Frequency Percent
No 65 74.7
Gov; 10 11.5
NGOs 11 12.6
Gov; NGOs 1 1.1
Total 87 100.0
NGOs(GRET, Mya Sein Yaung, UNDP)
Gov (Cooperative, MADB)

14. Current Situations of Maize
Production
 Maize production- no input, some farmers
3.4% of labor cost
 Home-garden and upland
 Plant spacing- 2´×2´
 Subsistence farming – own consumption
 Organic manure and no pesticides

15. Indigenous maize cultivation
practices
◦ Zero or minimum tillage
◦ Dibbling of maize seed
◦ Application of cow manure and green manure
◦ No chemical insecticides
◦ Burning of crop residues before next crop
sowing

16. ◦ Maize cobs used as fuel
◦ Cobs will be hanged above the fire place and
ceiling
◦ For seed purpose maize cobs are kept without
removing husk
◦ Storage materials - plastics bag and jute bag

17. Limitations
 Advanced technology, trainings and extension
advices
 Inadequate of Water
 Land limitation
 Difficulty of transportation
 Disturbs of wild animals

18. Thank You!