{{Short description|Traditional Indian agricultural technique}} [[File:Terraced farming, paddy cultivation in Kumaon, Uttarakhand - 2.jpeg|thumb|Typical terrace fields in Uttarakhand.]] '''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, 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 pesticides or 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-resilient and has been recognized as "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>
==Types of crops== 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>
1.''Mandua/Ragi'' (finger millet)<br> 2. ''Ramdana'' (amaranth)<br> 3. ''Rajma'' (kidney bean)<br> 4. ''Ogal'' (buckwheat)<br> 5. ''Urad'' (black gram)<br> 6. ''Moong'' (green gram)<br> 7. ''Gahat/Kulath'' (horsegram)<br> 8. ''Bhat'' (soyabean)<br> 9. ''Lobiya'' (Cowpea)<br> 10. ''Kheera/kakdi'' (cucumber)<br> 11. ''Bhangjeera'' (hemp)<br> 12. ''Jakhiya'' (cleome)
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>
==Benefits of the farming method== 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>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Agronomy Category:Culture of Uttarakhand Category:Environment of Uttarakhand Category:Crops originating from India Category:Permaculture Category:Organic farming in Asia Category:Agriculture in Uttarakhand Category:Sustainable agriculture