Indigenous technical knowledge involves practices evolved by the farmers on their own experiences, which are passed from generation to generation. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides in present day agriculture had lead to deposition of toxic residues in the food materials. However due to awareness on the health food products interest was turned towards indigenous technological practices followed by the farmers from the ancient times. In a way to create awareness a case study was undertaken to document the ITKs adopted by the farming community of Palamangalam, Konthalam, Sivagiri, Kolathupalayam, Vellotamparapu, Kolanelli and Kulavilaku villages of Modakurichi block, Erode District, Tamil Nadu. For gathering information from the farmers extension tools, direct interview and group discussion methods were executed. About 80 practices were followed in these villages for pre and post harvest pest management methods in various agricultural crops like rice, castor, coconut and vegetables were documented. Based on the documented practices, it was concluded that the farmers had a brilliant approach in controlling the pest and disease by utilizing the naturally available resources which paves way for residue free food materials.

Keywords: Insect management, indigenous methods, residue free.