The use and role of indigenous knowledge in small-scale agricultural systems in Africa: the case of farmers in northern Malawi

This thesis examines the role and use of indigenous knowledge within small-scale agricultural systems in Africa and its relevance in development practice and theory. Using development programmes that have been implemented in the study area from the colonial to the recent times, many of which were largely underpinned by modernisation theory and practice, indigenous knowledge theory and practice is analysed for its role in development processes. The roles of the private sector, NGOs and the government are analysed, based on a chronology of development programmes that were underpinned in many instances by the influences of the major development theories and the subsequent introduction of the structural adjustment programmes by the IMF and the World Bank. Particular emphasis is placed on farmers’ responses to externally induced development programmes, designed by experts for farmers to adopt. In their assessment of these externally driven development programmes, there is a manifestation of the extent of the resilience of local knowledge to its displacement by Western knowledge. Scientifically proven technologies are assessed by farmers for their effectiveness under their farming practices that take into account a range of environmental, socio-cultural and economic factors. Indigenous knowledge is frequently found to be effective in resisting those changes that are undesirable and of little relevance at both farm and community levels. For farmers, knowledge that is useful and of practical use is adopted, or adapted, only when it is assessed, and, in many cases, this is only after trials have been successfully completed. Knowledge that is of little benefit to farmers is discarded irrespective of its type (indigenous or Western), or its source. This study forms the basis for understanding the importance of indigenous knowledge in development practice arising from its existence at farm level and the fact that it is continuously being fined-tuned to suit specific conditions and situations, which are in turn affected by socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors. The findings of this study also show that there are many benefits from using indigenous knowledge in development practice that include the empowerment of local people through their participation in development programmes. Indigenous knowledge is also found to be resilient and beneficial to farmers regardless of income level by reducing their costs of production, to be adaptable to different environmental and economic circumstances, and to provide for a more sustainable use of resources in farming. There is, however, a need for further studies in indigenous knowledge utilisation to enable researchers to keep pace with changes that occur at the local level if development theory and practice are to utilise indigenous knowledge fully and successfully

The resilience of indigenous knowledge in small-scale African agriculture: key drivers

The successful use of indigenous knowledge (IK) in development practice in rural Africa over the last couple of decades has proved to be elusive and disappointing. Using empirical field data from northern Malawi, this study suggests that the two key drivers for farmers in this area are household food security and the maintenance of soil fertility. Indigenous ways of knowing underpin the agricultural system which has been developed, rather than the adoption of more modern, ‘scientific’ ways, to deliver against these drivers. Such IKs, however, are deeply embedded in the economic, social and cultural environments in which they operate

Testing the Ecosystem Productivity- Diversity Hypothesis in a Grassland

Globally, the academic debate about the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem productivity has been widely contested. While some researchers support the positive relationship between ecosystem productivity and diversity, others propose the reverse. However, mechanisms that play a role in this relationship remain unclear. As such a study was conducted in Lilongwe plain, in Malawi to test the theory of ecosystem productivity and diversity in a grassland ecosystem to make a humble contribution to this debate. Methodologically, five transects of 25metres each, were systematically drawn across the area. Each transect had 14 quadrats that were randomly placed at a distance of 10 meters apart. The data sets (moisture content, distribution and composition of plant species were collected in 5 transects located in two contrasting areas of dry and waterlogging conditions. Alpha diversity was computed to determine variations in species diversity between dry and the water logged areas. The results show that moisture content and species composition were the main productivity influencing factors with P-values <0.05. Results further show that there is indeed a relationship between productivity and diversity which was affected by variations in the availability of water, legume species that initiates nitrogen fixation, and nature of the mixture of the grass stands within the study area. Despite few numbers of species in areas of high water concentration, the results show that the biomass production was considerably high. The higher diversity in the upper and middle areas of the land indicates more species that survive as well as facilitate and complement each other. Such areas support the concept of complementarity which result from interspecific differences in resource requirements and that of facilitation which result from certain species helping or allowing other species to grow by modifying the environment in a way that is favorable to co-occurring species. The findings suggest that the correlation between productivity and diversity cannot be disputed. But the specifics as to when and how this relationship exhibits need to be clearly understood since this relationship is influenced by factors such as species composition as well as conditions in that particular area where the species exist, (in this case the grassland). Perhaps in this study the relationship was influenced by the presence of water in some areas which exhibited higher biomass but little diversity, as well as the presence of leguminous grasses that fix nitrogen and benefits surrounding species hence increasing the biomass as well

Malawi stories: mapping an art-science collaborative process

This paper outlines a project drawing together an artist working on creative GIS, a geomatics scholar, an NGO leader, a rural geographer and soil scientist, an environmental geochemist, and a political geographer. With a shared interest in the social and physical processes affecting people’s lives in Malawi, and the possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration, the team engaged in practice-based mapping of our data sources and respective methodologies. The project relates to two sites in Malawi: Tikondwe Freedom Gardens and the Likangala River. The paper details our practices as we shared, debated, and repurposed our data as a means of situating these practices and data. Using paper and pen, whiteboard, PowerPoint, and web-design software, we note here our effort to map a ‘space of experimentation’ highlighting, and reflecting on, our diverse disciplinary orientations, training, instrumentation, recording, and reporting procedures, as well as bodily practices that enable and give animation to these factors

Bushmeat hunting and consumption is a pervasive issue in African savannahs: insights from four protected areas in Malawi

The hunting and consumption of wild meat (bushmeat) is recognized as a key threat to the world’s biodiversity and there are indications this threat may extend to much of the African continent. However, this problem is understudied in African savannah systems—particularly in southern Africa. Due to its illicit nature, little research on the drivers behind hunting and consumption exists, especially using methods appropriate to the topic’s sensitivity. We explored the prevalence of hunting and consumption of wild meat in the low-income country of Malawi, by conducting 1562 interviews in communities neighbouring four different protected areas. We identified characteristics of households illegally hunting and consuming wild meat, using the unmatched count technique and socio-demographic variables in linear models. Consumption had a higher prevalence than hunting, reaching up to 39% of the population, while 4–19% of the population engaged in hunting. Consumption was more prevalent in poorer households, while hunting was more prevalent in wealthier households. Increased involvement in community projects initiated by protected areas did not always lead to reduced consumption or hunting, including at protected areas with substantial outside investment, indicating these projects need a clearer link to conservation outcomes. A preference for the taste of wild meat and for added diversity in diet were key drivers of consumption, whereas hunting was primarily motivated by the need for income. Our results highlight the disparity between drivers of hunting and consumption of wild meat and the pervasive nature of this threat, despite considerable investment into community projects and enforcement.Griffith University, the Nyika-Vwaza Trust, The Rufford Foundation and National Geographic. JVV is supported by a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and DB by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Grant (DE 160101182).http://link.springer.com/journal/105312021-02-05hj2020Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Bushmeat hunting and consumption is a pervasive issue in African savannahs: insights from four protected areas in Malawi

The hunting and consumption of wild meat (bushmeat) is recognized as a key threat to the world's biodiversity and there are indications this threat may extend to much of the African continent. However, this problem is understudied in African savannah systems-particularly in southern Africa. Due to its illicit nature, little research on the drivers behind hunting and consumption exists, especially using methods appropriate to the topic's sensitivity. We explored the prevalence of hunting and consumption of wild meat in the low-income country of Malawi, by conducting 1562 interviews in communities neighbouring four different protected areas. We identified characteristics of households illegally hunting and consuming wild meat, using the unmatched count technique and socio-demographic variables in linear models. Consumption had a higher prevalence than hunting, reaching up to 39% of the population, while 4-19% of the population engaged in hunting. Consumption was more prevalent in poorer households, while hunting was more prevalent in wealthier households. Increased involvement in community projects initiated by protected areas did not always lead to reduced consumption or hunting, including at protected areas with substantial outside investment, indicating these projects need a clearer link to conservation outcomes. A preference for the taste of wild meat and for added diversity in diet were key drivers of consumption, whereas hunting was primarily motivated by the need for income. Our results highlight the disparity between drivers of hunting and consumption of wild meat and the pervasive nature of this threat, despite considerable investment into community projects and enforcement

Whose Crisis? Covid 19 explored through arts and cultural practices of African communities

The “Whose Crisis?” project is in response to a continually evolving global health pandemic. In this context, the dominant discourses have been generated in the North, overwhelmingly by a minority of wealthy and powerful authors, reflecting narrowly on a crisis that, while impacting the whole world, is experienced in vastly different ways. This data set consists of arts and cultural practices shared by participants in reflection of the lived experiences of, perspectives on, and responses to, COVID-19 in vulnerable communities across sub-Saharan Africa. The data has been generated by large team of collaborators who prioritise the lived experiences, customs, and needs of the communities engaged through a culturally responsive and arts-based research approach