Indigenous Knowledge
In this issue of BAOBAB, we focus on the importance of indigenous knowledge as a key for sustainable agriculture. This knowledge has the potential to play an important role in conserving natural resources, finding food alternatives and reducing the use of chemicals in production of materials. In this issue partnerships which promote sustainable agriculture are highlighted.
Two of the articles in this issue for instance shows how community-based projects based on indigenous practices, such as producing soap or a goat self-help group, can improve the livelihoods of community members. The effects of climate change are increasingly noticeable, especially during prolonged periods of drought.
Indigenous knowledge helps in finding solutions to successfully cope with such times, as some of the articles in this issue demonstrate. For example in Kenya the “kithunzu” root tuber provides water and nutrients for livestock, whilst Eritrea has the doum palm on which they rely.