Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa

This open access book presents a novel approach to food security research (SDG-2 Zero Hunger) by integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge. Through extensive field-based research in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and South Africa, it explores the impact of merging traditional practices and...

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Формат: Online
Мова:Англійська
Опубліковано: Springer Nature 2025
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Онлайн доступ:ONIX_20250513_9783031855122_2
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collection Directory of Open Access Books
description This open access book presents a novel approach to food security research (SDG-2 Zero Hunger) by integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge. Through extensive field-based research in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and South Africa, it explores the impact of merging traditional practices and local knowledge with scientific methods. Through field studies, the book shows the value of local knowledge and community-led innovations in combating hunger, achieving food security, and enhancing nutrition sustainably and food sovereignty. Drawing on decades of research in rural Africa, the authors introduce the "Plug-In Principle"—a theory for integrating indigenous and modern knowledge systems to foster sustainable agricultural practices and enriched food ecosystems in Africa. The Plug-In Principle advocates that advancements in science and technology should enhance rather than replace existing indigenous knowledge. This principle emerged from the failures of many development interventions where attempts at replacement often led to challenges and failures. In agriculture, for instance, interventions in mechanization, soil amendments, seed and breed improvements, and extension services have seldom succeeded due to a lack of integration with existing practices. The Plug-In Principle emphasizes that effective knowledge integration hinges on a deep understanding and appreciation of prevailing systems. By designing interventions that seamlessly "plug-in" to existing technologies, we can ensure the co-creation of effective solutions to the challenges we face. This book is a testament to the potential of collaborative innovation in fostering sustainable development. Development workers, policymakers, researchers, students, and donor agencies in agriculture and other development areas will find this volume invaluable. Additionally, scholars focused on decolonization and indigenous knowledge in the Global South will uncover insightful case studies and analyses.
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spelling doab-20.500.12854ir-1594232025-05-14T04:08:40Z Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa Dittoh, Saa Bon, Anna Akkermans, Hans Indigenous knowledge Traditional farming systems Decolonising food systems Subsistence agriculture Rural development Regreening Sustainable food ecosystems Zero hunger This open access book presents a novel approach to food security research (SDG-2 Zero Hunger) by integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge. Through extensive field-based research in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, and South Africa, it explores the impact of merging traditional practices and local knowledge with scientific methods. Through field studies, the book shows the value of local knowledge and community-led innovations in combating hunger, achieving food security, and enhancing nutrition sustainably and food sovereignty. Drawing on decades of research in rural Africa, the authors introduce the "Plug-In Principle"—a theory for integrating indigenous and modern knowledge systems to foster sustainable agricultural practices and enriched food ecosystems in Africa. The Plug-In Principle advocates that advancements in science and technology should enhance rather than replace existing indigenous knowledge. This principle emerged from the failures of many development interventions where attempts at replacement often led to challenges and failures. In agriculture, for instance, interventions in mechanization, soil amendments, seed and breed improvements, and extension services have seldom succeeded due to a lack of integration with existing practices. The Plug-In Principle emphasizes that effective knowledge integration hinges on a deep understanding and appreciation of prevailing systems. By designing interventions that seamlessly "plug-in" to existing technologies, we can ensure the co-creation of effective solutions to the challenges we face. This book is a testament to the potential of collaborative innovation in fostering sustainable development. Development workers, policymakers, researchers, students, and donor agencies in agriculture and other development areas will find this volume invaluable. Additionally, scholars focused on decolonization and indigenous knowledge in the Global South will uncover insightful case studies and analyses. 2025-05-14T04:08:39Z 2025-05-14T04:08:39Z 2025-05-13T08:23:14Z 2025 book ONIX_20250513_9783031855122_2 https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/101637 9783031855122 9783031855115 https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/159423 eng Sustainable Development Goals Series open access image/jpeg n/a https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/20.500.12657/101637/1/9783031855122.pdf Springer Nature Springer Nature Switzerland 10.1007/978-3-031-85512-2 10.1007/978-3-031-85512-2 9fa3421d-f917-4153-b9ab-fc337c396b5a 00c1b178-a10c-4da8-b12b-08c3769bfd2f 9783031855122 9783031855115 Springer Nature Switzerland 196 Cham [...] open access
spellingShingle Indigenous knowledge
Traditional farming systems
Decolonising food systems
Subsistence agriculture
Rural development
Regreening
Sustainable food ecosystems
Zero hunger
Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title_full Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title_fullStr Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title_short Integrating Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
title_sort integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge for sustainable food systems in africa
topic Indigenous knowledge
Traditional farming systems
Decolonising food systems
Subsistence agriculture
Rural development
Regreening
Sustainable food ecosystems
Zero hunger
topic_facet Indigenous knowledge
Traditional farming systems
Decolonising food systems
Subsistence agriculture
Rural development
Regreening
Sustainable food ecosystems
Zero hunger
url ONIX_20250513_9783031855122_2