https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=BarahnajaBarahnaja - Revision history2026-11-03T04:16:25ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barahnaja&diff=489757&oldid=prevAryakin2021: starting some data w/ sources2026-03-27T07:10:57Z<p>starting some data w/ sources</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Traditional Indian agricultural technique}}<br />
[[File:Terraced farming, paddy cultivation in Kumaon, Uttarakhand - 2.jpeg|thumb|Typical [[Terrace (earthworks)|terrace fields]] in [[Uttarakhand]].]]<br />
'''Barahnaja''' (lit. "twelve seeds") is an ancient traditional system of [[multiple cropping]] that is practised in the Indian mountainous state of [[Uttarakhand]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O7J-AAAAMAAJ |title=Cultural and Spiritual Values of Biodiversity - Programme des Nations Unies pour l'environnement, United Nations Environment Programme - Google Books |date=2008-10-03 |publisher=Intermediate Technology |isbn=978-1-85339-397-6 |accessdate=2022-02-20}}</ref> The term literally means "twelve seeds or food grains" in [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]], and refers to the twelve types of crops that are grown together in a single field to enhance [[soil fertility]], [[food security]], and [[ecological balance]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rALsAIC82YQC&pg=PA186 |title=Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 Volumes ... - Google Books |isbn=9788178353838 |accessdate=2022-02-20|last1=Bhatt |first1=Shankarlal C. |year=2006 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House }}</ref> There are no [[Pesticide|pesticides]] or [[Fertilizer|fertilizers]] involved in this method, and many crops in the ''barahnaja'' system have medicinal uses.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5vGzAAAAIAAJ |title=Pathways: In Search of Exemplary Practices on Environment and Sustainable ... - Google Books |date=2008-07-11 |publisher=Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement for the International Conference of Asian Foundations and Organizations |isbn=978-971-8817-18-6 |accessdate=2022-02-20}}</ref> This sustainable and traditional farming method is [[Climate resilience|climate-resilient]] and has been recognized as "[[Organic farming|organic]] by default".<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02123-9|title=Mainstreaming Barahnaja cultivation for food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region|first1=Kavita|last1=Gururani|first2=Salej|last2=Sood|first3=Anil|last3=Kumar|first4=Dinesh C.|last4=Joshi|first5=Dinesh|last5=Pandey|first6=A. R.|last6=Sharma|date=March 1, 2021|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|volume=30|issue=3|pages=551–574|via=Springer Link|doi=10.1007/s10531-021-02123-9|pmid=33526962|pmc=7838019|bibcode=2021BiCon..30..551G }}</ref><br />
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==Types of crops==<br />
The twelve major crops that are grown under the ''barahnaja'' system include:<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct6YMRvYJQ4C&pg=PA120 |title=Uttaranchal: Dilemma of Plenties and Scarcities - Vishwambhar Prasad Sati, Kamlesh Kumar - Google Books |isbn=9788170998983 |accessdate=2022-02-20|last1=Sati |first1=Vishwambhar Prasad |last2=Kumar |first2=Kamlesh |year=2004 |publisher=Mittal Publications }}</ref><br />
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1.''Mandua/Ragi'' ([[finger millet]])<br><br />
2. ''Ramdana'' ([[amaranth]])<br><br />
3. ''Rajma'' ([[kidney bean]])<br><br />
4. ''Ogal'' ([[buckwheat]])<br><br />
5. ''Urad'' ([[black gram]])<br><br />
6. ''Moong'' ([[green gram]])<br><br />
7. ''Gahat/Kulath'' ([[horsegram]])<br><br />
8. ''Bhat'' ([[soyabean]])<br><br />
9. ''Lobiya'' ([[Cowpea]])<br><br />
10. ''Kheera/kakdi'' ([[cucumber]])<br><br />
11. ''Bhangjeera'' ([[hemp]])<br><br />
12. ''Jakhiya'' ([[Jakhiya|cleome]])<br />
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Although the term means "twelve seeds or food grains", this can change depending on the local [[terrain]] and [[climate]], and farmers can grow as many as 20 different crops on the field. All these are grown without the use of [[pesticides]] or [[fertilizers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/12-grain-route-to-prosperity--38263 |title=12 grain route to prosperity |publisher=Downtoearth.org.in |date=2012-05-23 |accessdate=2022-02-20}}</ref><br />
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==Benefits of the farming method==<br />
The traditional farming method of ''barahnaja'' has been widely studied, and is known to have the following advantages: suitable for ecologically fragile regions; sustainable and self-sufficient; preventing [[soil erosion]]; food security as threat of widespread crop failure is minimised; health benefits to consumers with its chemical-free approach; enhances [[soil health]] and fertility.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02123-9|title=Mainstreaming Barahnaja cultivation for food and nutritional security in the Himalayan region|first1=Kavita|last1=Gururani|first2=Salej|last2=Sood|first3=Anil|last3=Kumar|first4=Dinesh C.|last4=Joshi|first5=Dinesh|last5=Pandey|first6=A. R.|last6=Sharma|date=March 1, 2021|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|volume=30|issue=3|pages=551–574|via=Springer Link|doi=10.1007/s10531-021-02123-9|pmid=33526962|pmc=7838019|bibcode=2021BiCon..30..551G }}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Agronomy]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Uttarakhand]]<br />
[[Category:Environment of Uttarakhand]]<br />
[[Category:Crops originating from India]]<br />
[[Category:Permaculture]]<br />
[[Category:Organic farming in Asia]]<br />
[[Category:Agriculture in Uttarakhand]]<br />
[[Category:Sustainable agriculture]]</div>Aryakin2021