Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, March 1999 Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, March 1999
Contents IK Monitor (7-1) | IKDM Homepage | Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl | (c) copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 1999.
From information to knowledge. We often repeat the journal's purpose, that 'the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor promotes the exchange of information on indigenous knowledge as it relates to sustainable development.' But in fact there is an interesting tension between these two concepts, 'information' and 'knowledge'. Information is essential for people to survive. In order to be really instrumental, however, information must be transformed into knowledge. Individuals and communities are continuously transforming what they know into strategies and practices they can use for their own development. In this process of development, we hope that the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor can be instrumental by providing a flow of information and by bringing this information to the people concerned in such a way that they can choose to make use of it.
As to the content of this particular issue, the opening article by Mr E.M. Igbokwe describes the local system of rice production in southeastern Nigeria and the innovations that smallholder rice farmers there have adopted. The author's analysis of why innovations were adopted, and how to ensure that future innovations will be incorporated into Nigerian agricultural policy, could offer interesting information that can be turned into useful knowledge in other countries as well.
The second article also offers information that can perhaps be applied elsewhere. Edward C. Green, Kenneth J. Goodman and Martha Hare present an analysis of one of the very few working models of a mechanism through which indigenous peoples can share in the benefits accruing from their knowledge of medicinal plants. In future, the pharmaceutical companies may not be the only ones to profit from the discovery of 'new drugs'.
The two other articles in this issue deal with knowledge and practices related to the oil-producing palm tree. Dorothea Wartena studied oil palm management in Bénin. She compares two local systems and considers which of them will prove to be the most sustainable. Mr Paolo Segalla takes a rather different approach as he analyzes the pros and cons of a traditional oil palm management system making use of the Dura variety of palm trees.
Apart from the four articles, there are again a large number of communications from around the world. Thanks to the active participants in the IK network, readers are able to share in the knowledge and activities of many specialists in many countries. From the reactions we receive at the editorial office, we know that this expert information is greatly appreciated by the majority of our readers.
On a technical note, we have taken to heart the comments of readers who have complained that they miss some information in the journal because of the very small print we were using, sometimes in combination with rather exuberant background graphics. Starting with this issue, we have switched to a much larger font, and we will refrain from placing photos behind the text. We hope that in a very practical way these changes will increase the informative value of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor.
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IK Monitor (7-1) | IKDM Homepage
Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl
(c) copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 1999.