study of agriculture in tamil literatureand its relevance to extension education

Abstract

The study entitled Study of Agriculture in Tamil Literature and its Relevance to newlineExtension Education has been taken up to analyze and document the references to newlineagriculture found in literature in general, and ancient Tamil literature in particular so that newlinethe antiquity and glory of agriculture is aptly understood by the students of agriculture for newlinedisseminating messages on various package of practices effectively to the farmers of the newlineState. newlineThe study examines the history of agriculture in shaping the cultural aspects of newlinehuman civilization. It studies the evolution of agriculture in India and agriculture newlineliterature that documented various package of practices prevalent at that point of time. newlineLiterature is the mirror of human society and it reflects the real life situations. Therefore, newlinethe verses and depictions in ancient literature are presumed to be the actual practices done newlineat that point of time. Taking this into consideration, efforts were taken to ferret out newlinereferences related to agriculture right from the ancient days in the entire world literature. newlineThe study attempted to identify how agriculture was given importance in classical Greek newlineand Roman literature, Sanskrit poems, European literature and classical Tamil literature. newlineApart from creative literature, treatises on agriculture and farming were also analyzed to newlineknow the indigenous practices on various aspects like seed treatment, plant protection newlineand farming systems. newlineAs the study is related to Tamil Nadu and the purpose is to suggest measures to newlinerevive the pride of farmers in performing agriculture with a passion, emphasis was laid newlineon ancient Tamil literature. The Sangam literature and the ethical literature that followed newlinesuit were done in-depth study to identify the specific methods of cultivation, cropping newlinepractices, agricultural implements, cropping systems, post-harvest technology and newlineproductivity narrated in them. In addition to classical literature, mention has been made newlineregarding the subsequent literature that have rich references to agriculture. newline