Historia de la agroecología en México

A mediados del siglo pasado, existían dos tipos de científicos de la agronomía en México. Unos, que veían una agricultura atrasada y que había, ciegamente, que llevar hacia los avances tec- nológicos más modernos. Otros, que salían al campo y exploraban intensivamente los sistemas indígenas y campesinos. El estudiar y dar a conocer la riqueza tanto biológica como humana que albergaban estos sistemas, dio pie a la agroecología en este país. Sobra decir que varios de los pioneros de esa ciencia a nivel mundial, fueron aprendices de sistemas indígenas mexicanos. En este trabajo se hace el esfuerzo por narrar los hitos históricos más importantes en la investigación y la enseñanza de la agroecología en el pasado y en la actualidad; además, hacemos también una reflexión sobre los desafíos que enfrenta esa disciplina

Living knowledge of the healing plants: Ethno-phytotherapy in the Chepang communities from the Mid-Hills of Nepal

Contribution of indigenous knowledge in developing more effective drugs with minimum or no side effects helped to realise importance of study of indigenous remedies and the conservation of biological resources. This study analysed indigenous knowledge regarding medicinal plants use among the Chepang communities from ward number 3 and 4 of Shaktikhor Village Development Committee located in the central mid hills of Nepal. Data were collected in a one-year period and included interviews with traditional healers and elders. Chepangs are rich in knowledge regarding use of different plants and were using a total 219 plant parts from 115 species including one mushroom (belonging 55 families) for medicinal uses. Out of these, 75 species had 118 different new medicinal uses and 18 of them were not reported in any previous documents from Nepal as medicinal plants. Spiritual belief, economy and limitation of alternative health facilities were cause of continuity of people's dependency on traditional healers. Change in socio-economic activities not only threatened traditional knowledge but also resource base of the area. Enforcement of local institution in management of forest resources and legitimating traditional knowledge and practices could help to preserve indigenous knowledge