The Monitor: the
future of an instrument for networking
Guus von Liebenstein
Active networking requires adequate instruments for the
exchange of information. CIRAN publishes the Indigenous
Knowledge and Development Monitor, the newsletter of and
for the international network for indigenous knowledge and
development, which reaches over 3000 individuals in 120
countries. To explore the possibilities for creating a
sustainable basis for the future of the Monitor, CIRAN sent
out a questionnaire to all its readers, the tentative results
of which are presented in this article.
Indigenous financial
practices among farmers in Nigeria
Noble J. Nweze
With no access to formal credit for improving their socio-
economic well being, farmers among the Igalas in Nigeria rely
heavily on their indigenous systems of resource mobilization,
the major advantage of which is that they provide financial
and material relief on favourable terms. This article examines
the major features of these indigenous associations, and their
potential for rural development.
Indigenous fisheries
resource management in the Maluku Islands
Victor P.H. Nikijuluw
The Indonesian government believes that its coastal fisheries
are presently being overexploited, and is striving to
formulate resource management approaches to cope with this
problem. The indigenous fisheries resource management of the
Maluku Islands is considered one of the best schemes. This
article outlines this management approach, the challenges it
faces, and its future prospects.
Indigenous seed
practices for sustainable agriculture
Pamela G. Fernandez
A shift to sustainable agriculture (SA) requires
fundamental changes to the seed production paradigm. It is
important for farmers, particularly those in the Third World,
to have control over their seed. This requires a knowledge and
appreciation of alternative technologies for crop and seed
production, genetic conservation, and crop improvement, as
well as a thorough understanding of related issues. A seed
production system along the lines of the SA framework is based
on holistic and integrative farming principles and a greater
participation of farmers in all aspects of the seed industry.
Indigenous systems, including seeds and associated practices,
are a rich source of alternatives. However, these too have
been misused, not only for profit, but also to gain a monopoly
of the means of production, and to perpetuate the dominant yet
unsatisfactory development paradigm.
IK for
socioeconomic development and biodiversity conservation: The
Kolli hills
B. Rajasekaran
D.M. Warren
For generations local people have been the custodians of
biodiversity. Unfortunately, their basic requirements
sometimes force them into activities that lead to a loss of
biodiversity. Therefore, it is essential that programmes aimed
at conserving biodiversity should take into account the basic
livelihood systems of local people. Moreover, indigenous
knowledge can be used to fulfil socioeconomic needs and
conserve biodiversity at one and the same time. This article
explores the diversity of the indigenous agroforestry systems
practised by the people of the Kolli Hills, identifies the
factors which force local people to engage in activities that
erode those systems, and formulates policy interventions
designed to make effective use of indigenous knowledge, not
only to meet socioeconomic needs but also to conserve
biodiversity.
IKS and sustainable
agricultural development in Africa: essential linkages
Tunji Titilola
The 'crisis in African agriculture' has attracted the
attention of practitioners, researchers, policymakers and
donors. It is argued here that the solution to this crisis may
lie in promoting sustainable agriculture, based on minimum
levels of external inputs. However, if development efforts
aimed at sustainable agriculture are to be successful,
research will be needed to identify those local agricultural
practices which have, and have not proved capable of meeting
the needs of the people. The essential linkages between
agricultural development, sustainable development, and the use
of local knowledge are defined. The article also examines the
consequences of the Green Revolution.
For more information, please contact the editor:
Ms Akke W. Tick
Nuffic-CIRAN
P.O. Box 29777
2502 LT The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-70-4260324
Fax: +31-70-4260329/4260399
E-mail: ikdm@nuffic.nl