Bodo Agricultural Practices: Traditional to Modern

The Bodos historically practiced a primitive form of agriculture, involving clearing land by burning jungles, making holes for seeds, and relying on monsoon rains. They preferred plain, alluvial land and developed artificial irrigation systems and embankments to manage water for their paddy fields. Their traditional tools included items like the Nangwl (Plough), Jungal (Yoke), Mwi (Harrow), Khasi (Sickle), and Khada (Basket), with cultivation primarily done using wooden ploughs pulled by bullocks or buffalos.

Over time, Bodo agricultural methods have gradually shifted from traditional approaches due to the influence of modernity. The traditional methods were labor-intensive, time-consuming, and yielded limited crops. Modern farmers now utilize scientific techniques and tools such as tractors, sprayers, dusters, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to enhance production. The use of hybrid seeds and modern scientific methods has also become prevalent, replacing traditional manure like cow dung with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Paddy cultivation remains their primary agricultural focus.