Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, 1993

Research

Knowledgesystems for sustainable agriculture

The Department of Extension Science of Wageningen Agricultural University (the Netherlands) is engaged in a comparative study of 'Knowledge systems for sustainable agriculture'. Research is done in eight countries; the following three studies have a clear focus on indigenous knowledge systems: * a study on adaption to decreasing soil fertility in Benin (by Jan Brouwers) and Northern Ghana (by David Millar); * a study on differences in knowledge and information sources between Dutch farmers who are efficient users of minerals and chemicals and those who are not (by Nadet Somers); * an evaluation of the Indonesian integrated pest management programme which involved a 'reconstruction' of indigenous technologies (Elske van der Fliert). The study on soil fertility in Benin was conducted among the Adja, who live on a plateau in the southeastern province of Mono. Despite a high population density (240 people/sq. km.), they have managed to maintain a sustainable agricultural system. Jan Brouwers and Constant Dangbe'gnon (Agricultural Faculty, National University of Benin) stress the advantages of the Adja's agricultural system. The Adja have a mixed cropping system with oilpalm and annuals. Contact: Wageningen Agricultural University, Department of Extension Science, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Indigenous farming and soil conservation - Ghana

Food insecurity and environmental degradation are two major problems in the greater Afram Plains of Ghana. Fragile agricultural and environmental resources have long been sustained by local farmers using their own knowledge, but these resources are now under threat. To address this problem, researchers will explore knowledge and practices of agricultural and resource conservation that make sustainable development possible. Kwesi Opoku-Debrah will document existing knowledge and practices. The research is being conducted by World Vision International - Ghana (WVI/G), together with the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD), and the Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana.

Indigenous plantprotection in Yemen

This study documents several direct methods of plant protection. One of the most common practices is a form of a biological control using predatory ants (qa's). This method was described already in a 13th-century text. Other protection methods employ sesame oil or trap plants. Non-biological methods include spraying dirt and using smoke or heat. The purpose of the study was to yield recommendations for integrated pest management, which is part of Yemen's development plan. Contact: Daniel Martin Varisco, Sociology/Anthropology, Hofsta University, Hempstead, NY 11550, USA.

Inventory of medicinal plants in Indonesia

The Centre of Research for the Development of Traditional Medicines (Surabaya, Indonesia) has started to collect ethnobotanic data on the plants of Central and East Java, Central Kalimanan and Flores. Agronomic and phytochemical research is currently being conducted on Zingiber officiale and Z. cassunumar, and a botanical garden of medicinal plants is being established. Rare medicinal plants are being propagated using tissue culture, and selected plants alleged to have medicinal properties are being tested for possible toxic effects and to verify the claims. Contact: Dr. J. Siwon, Centre of Research for the Development of Traditional Medicines, Research Institute of the Airlangga University, Jalan Darmawangsa Dalam 2, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Indigenous knowledge on forestry

At Michigan State University the following research project on indigenous knowledge and forestry is being conducted: * Understanding farmer-experimenters in agroforestry systems in Rwanda: synthesizing endogenous and scientific knowledge systems to enhance farming systems development (dissertation field research by C. den Biggelaar). The following thesis has been completed: * Morrison, B.J. 1991. Indigenous knowledge relating to fodder trees and silvo-pastoral management systems of small-scale farmers in Jamaica. M.S. Thesis, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University. Contact: Michael A. Gold, Professor of Agroforestry, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, USA.

Indigenous knowledgesystems in development

ONAKE, an indigenous Canadian NGO, is conducting a review of research on indigenous knowledge systems in development. This multidisciplinary review is focused on the knowledge and skills of indigenous peoples which have been or could be integrated into development planning. There are approximately 5000 such culturally distinct ethnic minorities and/or tribal people groups worldwide. The study is co-funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Contact: Dr. Raymond Obomsavin, ONAKE, RR#3 Crysler Ontario, Canada KOA IRO, Tel: +1-613-987-2248/2190. Fax: +1-613-987- 2247.

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