CIKS

CIKS – Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems

Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) is a non-profit independent trust based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India that focuses on applying traditional Indian knowledge and practices to contemporary societal challenges — especially in agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods.

Overview & Purpose

• Founded: The organization began in August 1993 and was formally registered as an independent trust in January 1995 in Chennai, after being established under the Academy of Development Sciences, Maharashtra.
• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Founders: Dr. A. V. Balasubramanian (Director & Founding Trustee) and Dr. K. Vijayalakshmi.
• Focus: Use indigenous knowledge for sustainable agriculture, food and nutritional security, biodiversity conservation, and Vrkshayurveda — an ancient Indian science of plant life and cultivation.

Core Activities

CIKS works directly with small and marginal farmers to enhance livelihood security through a mix of traditional and scientific practices:

• Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting organic farming and soil health.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Supporting cultivation and preservation of traditional crop varieties (e.g., indigenous rice).
• Research & Training: Producing research, materials, and training on traditional science, technologies, and farming knowledge.
• Farmer Support: CIKS and its network have helped support tens of thousands of farmer families and hundreds of producer institutions with enterprise development, marketing, and technical advice.

Key Programmes & Impact

• Namma Nellu: An initiative for conserving and promoting traditional rice varieties in Tamil Nadu, aiming at food and nutritional security.
• Field Operations: CIKS operates demonstration farms and field offices across Tamil Nadu; implements sustainability practices that blend indigenous knowledge with modern approaches.
• Farmer Reach: Through partnerships and its network (including Sempuman Sustainable Solutions), CIKS has supported over 110,000 farmers and helped nurture farmer producer companies.