Putting Local Knowledge to Good Use

Abstract

"The overwhelming majority of the population in most developing countries are small-scale farmers, each working less than two hectares of land. These farmers represent hundreds of distinct languages and ethnic groups. In most instances, the knowledge systems of these farmers have never been recorded systematically in written form, hence they are not easily accessible to agricultural researchers, extension workers, and development practitioners. While they remain invisible to the development community, many indigenous organizations are operating in rural communities to search for and identify solutions to community problems. Recent studies about indigenous knowledge in agriculture is having some effect; indeed it has changed the attitudes of policy makers and agricultural development planners in recent years, and this has led to renewed interest in this type of knowledge."