Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor 3(2)

Extended contents articles

Framework for enhancing the use of indigenous knowledge
Evelyn Mathias
With the growing recognition of the value of indigenous knowledge for sustainable development, both the number of projects and the amount of information on indigenous knowledge have increased. Despite all these efforts, however, development projects still appear to make little use of this valuable resource. Donors' recognition of indigenous knowledge often represents little more than lip service, seldom translating into action or funding. What more can be done by individuals and organizations working in the field of IK to promote the use of indigenous knowledge for development? The framework below reviews past efforts and suggests future action. It highlights trends and illustrates them with a few examples.

Medicinal and ritual plants of the Ethiopian southwest: an account of recent research
J. Abbink
This article focuses on a research project on plants and plant use among three ethnic groups in southwestern Ethiopia. This comparative study of their ethnobotanic knowledge requires a sensitivity to cultural context and local economy, and an attention to the dynamics of plant use, as these factors are susceptible to power balances between groups and to their incorporation into state structures. In view of rapid socioeconomic change, research on traditional plant use by both local and foreign researchers is needed. Information on the research process itself is presented here, as well as on the variety and context of plant use. The project also underlines the need for a better integration of 'modern' medicine and indigenous knowledge, or at least a measure of mutual respect between the two.

From oral to written: the documentation of knowledge in Ecuador
Brij Kothari
A group of indigenous peoples in Ecuador participated in a project which consisted in investigating and documenting their knowledge of medicinal plants, resulting in the publication of a bilingual book in Quichua and Spanish. Proceeds from the book are contributing to the creation of a grassroots foundation for the documentation of local knowledge and further research. This article describes a participatory action research project, with special emphasis on the process and product that led to the idea of a foundation.

Indigenous knowledge systems for plant protection: impressions from a symposium
Hans A.M. de Kruijf
Guus W. von Liebenstein
Akke W. Tick
One of the topics of the 13th International Plant Protection Congress was indigenous knowledge systems. Papers and poster presentations focused on the role of indigenous knowledge systems in plant protection, as an important resource base for sustainable development. The present article presents some general impressions from the symposium.

Traditional African values and their use in implementing Agenda 21
J.O. Kakonge
This article argues that efforts to achieve the promotion of sustainable development within the framework of Agenda 21 should be based on reexamining and applying indigenous knowledge and techniques, as opposed to the wholesale importation of Westernized methods and ideas. The aim should be to attain the optimum combination of the best practices from traditional and modern knowledge. At the same time, the article gives many examples of African approaches to environmental concerns.

An indigenous post-harvest technology
R.K. Samanta
M.V. Prasad
One of the aims of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management is to systematically study, document and collate various forms of indigenous technical knowledge used by farmers throughout India. The present article presents the objectives, methodology and results of one such research project: 'Using neem leaves in storage bags to prevent damage to grains by pests'.

For more information, please contact the editor:
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