Farmers smile at the sight of weeds A short participatory study carried out by the farmers and staff of the "Herb-based Community Health and Eco-Development Programme" in Thiruvarangulam block, Pudukottai District, Tamil Nadu, India, revealed that quite a number of different weeds are used. When asked about their feelings on weeds, farmers say that only at the excessive growth of certain weeds, they must be removed. "The cost of removal and also the difficulty to get one or two labourers to work with family members come to mind". However, looking at certain weeds, a smile is noticed on the face of farmers, especially women. "We long for the rains and growth of certain grasses and weeds, as they are useful as fodder for our animals." It is a common sight in the villages to see women and school-going children, immediately when the school closes at 3.30 pm, running to the fields to collect grass for animals and greens for cooking in the evening. When asked to list the different weeds and their uses, farmers came up with 13 different fodder species, 10 species used for food, 13 weeds used as medicine and two green manure species. Other uses mentioned were grasses with long roots to block the channels of water irrigation when needed, and grasses mixed with clay to raise the bunds to prevent soil erosion. Weeds are further used as mulch around fruit trees and as fencing materials. Several examples were given of management practices to control the growth of weeds. For example, to eradicate Cyperus rotundus, pigs are let in to dig up and eat the small tubers deep down in the soil. "When Cypress is found excessively, that particular plot is planned for paddy field. More green leaves are added and ploughed in. The waiting period is increased from 10 days to 25 days to let the Cypress completely die out." Anne Victoria, No. 4 Annai Nagar, NGGO Extension, Nizam Colony, Pudukkottai 622 00, India. ILEIA Newsletter Vol. 11 No. 3 p. 6 << country/story review