INDIGENOUS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE THEORY: A MODERN FARMING SYSTEM BASED ON FOLKLORE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Md Habibur Rahman, Md Mobashir Rahman, Istiaque Bin Islam

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INDIGENOUS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE THEORY: A MODERN FARMING SYSTEM BASED ON FOLKLORE AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Md Habibur Rahman1, Md Mobashir Rahman2, Istiaque Bin Islam3

1 Md Habibur Rahman, Associate Professor, Department of Folklore and Social Development Studies; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

2 Md Mobashir Rahman, Graduate Researcher, Department of Folklore and Social Development Studies; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

3 Istiaque Bin Islam; Graduate Researcher, Department of Food and Nutritional Science; Rajshahi Institute of Biosciences, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

*Corresponding author E-mail: habibur.rahmanfolk@ru.ac.bd

A R T I C L E  I N F O

Article Type: Research

Received: 02, Aug. 2025.

Accepted: 03, Sep. 2025.

Published: 25 Sep. 2025.

 

 

 A B S T R A C T

Built upon indigenous wisdom, EET, and customary practices, Indigenous Organic Agriculture Theory (IOAT) is re-shaping the new agriculture. Industrial agriculture is focused on yield, chemicals, and monoculture; IOAT emphasizes biodiversity, soil health, and reciprocity with nature. By posing this question, this research explores how IOAT provides a regenerative alternative based on indigenous knowledge, particularly in the face of food shortages, desertification, and climate change. Illustrating traditional practices from Bangladesh, India, Mexico, the USA, and Germany, the book demonstrates how conventional practices, such as Germany’s biodynamic farming, Mexico’s milpa system, and Bangladesh’s floating gardens, can contribute to supporting sustainability, cultural resilience, and environmental justice. The report also identifies problems such as institutional marginalization, the commercialization of sacred knowledge, and the resort to cultural appropriation. IOAT ultimately envisions a complete agricultural future grounded in respect, memory, and ecological appreciation, so that Indigenous knowledge is not merely preserved but is essential for rethinking world food systems. Finally, Indigenous Organic Agriculture Theory is offered as a vision for the future of agriculture with universal ramifications toward sustainability, cultural longevity and ecological harmonization. As a response to the world’s challenges, IOAT is an inevitable and adaptive way that guarantees future generations will survive and indigenous peoples’ wisdom can be protected.
Keywords:

Indigenous Organic Agriculture Theory (IOAT), Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity, Farming, Climate Change and Agriculture, Holistic Farming Practices.

 

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