Using Indigenous Knowledge to Improve Agriculture and Natural Resource Management

TLDR

Scientific knowledge faces criticism in social science, while indigenous knowledge is often portrayed too optimistically as an alternative. The paper argues for actively seeking creative interactions between indigenous and scientific knowledge to improve agriculture and natural resource management. The authors analyze strengths and weaknesses of both knowledge systems, illustrate with three examples, and propose contexts for integrating indigenous insights.

Abstract

Scientific knowledge systems have received increasing criticism within the social science literature while indigenous knowledge systems are often over-optimistically presented as viable alternative ways of knowing. This paper argues that we need to search for more effective and creative interactions between indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge systems. I discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of both scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, then use three examples to illustrate the strengths and limitations of indigenous knowledge systems. I then draw on these examples to indicate in what situations we should look for guidance and ideas from indigenous knowledge systems. The paper closes with a discussion of how scientists, social scientists and people with local knowledge can better work together to improve agricultural and natural resource management systems.