Transfer of indigenous knowledge and protection of the agricultural environment in Eastern Africa

bibliographic database
Line

Book chapter

Title:	Transfer of indigenous knowledge and protection of the agricultural environment in Eastern Africa
Author:	Stigter, Kees J.
Book title:	The cultural dimension of development: indigenous knowledge systems
Year:	1995
Pages:	419-425
Language:	English
Geographic term:	East Africa
Subjects:	environment shifting cultivation
Abstract:	This article discusses to what extent the actual transfer of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) and ITK principles is possible with respect to the protection of the agricultural environment in Africa. This is the ultimate aim of the Traditional Techniques of Microclimate Improvement (TTMI) project, which started officially in 1985. The TTMI project tried to contribute to the transfer and use of ITK and ITK principles in some well-defined priority areas of microclimate management and manipulation in East Africa. The article discusses the transfer and use of ITK in the project area and the difficulties met. Examples of success and failure discussed include an alley cropping project in Kenya, the construction of a shelterbelt in the Gezira of Central Sudan, the protective function of trees in Tanzania, and a water-use efficiency project in Gezira. The examples show a variety of ways in which ITK and the transfer of ITK principles come into the picture in the projects.