Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Figure 1: The cunani plant Knowledge, in all its forms, is a means to the attainment of economic self-determination and self-reliance. Every aspect of human activity in terms of the use of knowledge is becoming a vital component of socio-economic and political interaction. This has prompted many a commentator to proclaim that we have entered the 'Information Age'. Information is power, so the cliché goes. However, not all knowledge is perceived to be power generating; not all knowledge is perceived to be providing a competitive edge. Such is the case with traditional knowledge (TK). For a considerable period, TK has been considered little more than a nostalgic remembrance of our varying pasts, being preserved only as superstitious folklore best relegated to museums. Thankfully this is changing as TK has recently assumed a major significance globally especially with regard to knowledge of genetic resources and their contribution to pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. 05/06/2006
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New innovations in agriculture, as is the case in other industrial sectors, go hand in hand with privatisation and decentralisation and globalization. This trend is being observed in the ACP region. During the colonial era, innovation was managed by public institutions or public-private partnerships in response to the needs of the private sector. Information and financial flows were channelled along commercial commodity lines, involving a select group of scientists, planters and representatives of multinational organizations. At that time, food production and subsistence agriculture for home consumption or sale on the domestic marketwere not taken into consideration. Little use was made of indigenous knowledge. After independence, new approaches were developed to achieve developmentalgoals such as enhancing food production and reducing reliance on imported food. It gradually evolved that technical innovations which were developed at research stations did not meet the diversity of conditions local farmers had to cope with (see endnote 1). 02/01/2005
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Indigenous knowledge systems are invaluable, diversified and comprehensive, but are often overlooked by western scientific research and development. Policy actions should give attention to actively preserving this knowledge by documenting and disseminating it, and by creating awareness and supporting projects among local populations. Constraints in the conventional transfer of technology paradigm are discussed, and methods of facilitating the utilization of indigenous knowledge systems by agricultural research and extension programmes are explained. Strategies to strengthen indigenous organizations by utilizing non-governmental organizations are also provided, and the steps involved in technology dissemination are examined. The framework proposed is a starting point in the process of identifying and developing sustainable agricultural technological options by keeping farmers' knowledge as the focal point. It attempts to narrow the existing gap between researchers involved in indigenous knowledge systems and agricultural development practitioners. There is much to be learned from indigenous knowledge systems. Establishing national indigenous knowledge resource centres is essential to strengthen the capacities of agricultural research and extension systems. Validating farmers' experiments will create an environment which leads to the increased participation and empowerment of local people. Studies-in-Technology-and-Social-Change-Iowa-State-University (USA). 1994, no. 22, 55 p 02/01/2005
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