Agriculture Calendar, Lunar Planting Principle
Agriculture Calendar, Lunar Planting Principle
| Main Info | ML/KH/AGRI/001-Traditional Agriculture Calendar, Lunar Planting Principle |
| Name of the Technique | Traditional Lunar Planting Principle, Khasi Hills |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |
| History Of The Technique | The Traditional Agriculture calendar is a traditional agricultural practice that are still adopted by the indigenous people of Khasi, Ri Bhoi and Jaintia tribes in the state of Meghalaya. This knowledge has an old aged history, believe by the indigenous farmers for cultivation practices and management with reference to lunar planting. Most of the farmers from rural areas adopted this method to obtain optimum yield, production and less infestation from pest and diseases. The basic traditional agriculture calendar through lunar principle. Waxing crescent (Mih bnai): A period of 24 hours after new moon (ksang bnai). |
| Manufacturing technique | Cultivation: Waning gibbous (Ngeng bnai): It a period after full moon (Pyllun bnai). D.L. Nongspung has weighed in on the influence of waning gibbous locally called “Ngen bnai” which he claimed to be most favourable for cultivation because during this period of the moon phase the moisture level is high, thus helps seeds to germinate, and promotes healthy, balanced growth through the leaves and roots of plants. He admits that the crops grown during this period are observed to be naturally resistant to pests. |
| Method of Preparation | Full moon (Pyllun bnai): Full moon falls on the 14th days starting from new moon (ksang bnai). This period was not suitable for agricultural practices but is best for producing compost as bright light during the full moon attracts the decomposer to come out and thereby degrade the micro-organism to form compost. |
| Material Composition | Traditional Agriculture Calendar, Lunar Planting Principle:- Waxing crescent (Mih bnai): A period of 24 hours after new moon (ksang bnai). This traditional agriculture calendar was based on the moon phase which consists of 13 months (moon cycle) and 364 days in a year. (a) . Ascending period: it is a period of 13th days started from waxing crescent (mih bnai) till before it reached full moon. (b). Full moon (Pyllun bnai): Full moon falls on the 14th days starting from new moon (ksang bnai). (c). Waning gibbous (Ngeng bnai): It a period after full moon (Pyllun bnai). D.L. Nongspung has weighed in on the influence of waning gibbous locally called “Ngeng bnai” (d). Descending Period: it is a period of 13th days starting from waning gibbous (ngen bnai) till new moon (ksang bnai). |
| How to implement | Ascending period ((mih bnai) : it is a period of 13th days started from waxing crescent (mih bnai) till before it reached full moon. During this period, cultivation practices of plants which bear fruits above the ground viz., French bean, garden Pea, Tomato, commercial crops and almost all trees which bear fruits. Therefore, planting at this period gives a maximum growth rate. Descending Period ((ngen bnai): it is a period of 13th days starting from waning gibbous (ngen bnai) till new moon (ksang bnai). In this period, planting tuberous crops viz., potato, yam, sweet potato etc. and root crops such as carrot, radish, beets etc. Therefore, planting of tuberous crops, root crops during this period gives maximum growth rate. Planting of such tuberous plants in the ascending period, induced only the aerial growth part of the plants locally called “Kynsew”. New moon (ksang bnai): it is a period between waning gibbous (ngen bnai) and 24 hours before waxing crescent (mih bnai). This period is well suited for transplanted crops which induced economic yield. |
| New R & D leads | It is observed that several farmers from Khasi region adopted this method of lunar planting for banana plantation and showed significant result in respect to growth of new leaves during the ascending period. Similarly, regrowth of grasses performed best d |
| Theme | Traditional Agriculture |
| Sub Theme | Traditional Ecological Knowledge |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |