Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture

• Indigenous knowledge is local knowledge unique to a certain cultural and ethnic group.
• Traditional knowledge are those skills and practices which is developed over a period of time through accumulation of experience and understanding by local communities and have been inherited from generations to generations.

Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) are in the threat of extinction due to

1. Lack of systematic documentation on indigenous knowledge and technologies
2. Lacking incorporation of ITK in agricultural research and development by researcher, extension worker and policy maker
3. Introduction of modern technologies and varieties

Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) are invaluable tools for

1. Advancement in the modern farming technologies and improved varieties
2. Management of farming system by farmers: as ITK are farmer friendly
3. Innovation of site specific crop management practices
4. Conservation of natural resource base
5. Conservation of biodiversity and plant genetic resource
6. Resilient and adaptation to changing climate
7. Food security
8. Sustainability of agriculture system: as ITK are socially accepted, economically viable and environmentally sound