ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially acceptable. The collection of data was done through semi-structured face-to-face interviews utilising
a questionnaire as a guide. The interviews were conducted with farm owners and
workers in different geographical areas of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan. The
observation method assisted in reducing some of the challenges in this research,
for example, the language barrier (with the majority of the participants, the
interview had to be conducted in the local language of either Sepedi, Setswana,
Zulu, or the local dialect informally known as “Pretoria taal”). Purposive sampling was used and the sample researched was from a small holder farmer
database provided by the Agricultural Research Council-Vegetables and Ornamental Plants (ARC-VOP). The findings of the study can be a base for a more
in-depth focus on the knowledge and the best practices that exist in the selected
communities, which could reduce food insecurity and encourage the growth of
agriculture in these communities and households. Although the data was collected in one municipality area, the location of each participant was in a different
geographical area that allowed a much broader knowledge base and practices in
the field of IKS and sustainable agriculture. The results indicated that although
the participants appreciated the benefits of IKS, as it is associated with natural
farming of produce, the benefits of modern technology could also be utilised
where the combination of a variety of knowledge systems could enable the
farmers to get more yield on their crops. The commercially focused farmers
indicated that they utilised both methods in their agricultural practices to enhance
production and meet the current food demand. The usage of IKS and other
traditional agricultural practices seemed to be more prevalent in communitybased farming rather than those in commercial farming. One of the underlined
benefits of IKS sustainable farming, although IKS is only recently being
documented, is that it gives an opportunity for communities to come together
and share stories of success or failures and lessons learned. Indigenous knowledge is normally shared in the local language, which makes it easy to understand.
The combination of modern technology and traditional farming techniques
enables effective and faster farming activity using less energy. Hence, one of
the recommendations is an in-depth study of how to utilise the positive and
functional attributes of IKS to modern farming and to commercial agricultural
practices. This can allow the enhancement of both schools of thoughts and yield
positive results. For example, in the interview session with the representative and
farming expert from Agri-Skills, the researcher got the opportunity to see farming
tools designed by Agri-Skills, which incorporate traditional farming methods
with the latest technology to enhance the farming process. These farming tools
are mainly used in the rural farming areas, which have limited resources. The
study thus recommends that the sharing of IKS and incorporating it with technology and modern agriculture can create a new dynamic, agricultural practice that
will benefit commercial farmers, community or primary farmers, and households
with functional gardens.
184
J. Seko et al.
a questionnaire as a guide. The interviews were conducted with farm owners and
workers in different geographical areas of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan. The
observation method assisted in reducing some of the challenges in this research,
for example, the language barrier (with the majority of the participants, the
interview had to be conducted in the local language of either Sepedi, Setswana,
Zulu, or the local dialect informally known as “Pretoria taal”). Purposive sampling was used and the sample researched was from a small holder farmer
database provided by the Agricultural Research Council-Vegetables and Ornamental Plants (ARC-VOP). The findings of the study can be a base for a more
in-depth focus on the knowledge and the best practices that exist in the selected
communities, which could reduce food insecurity and encourage the growth of
agriculture in these communities and households. Although the data was collected in one municipality area, the location of each participant was in a different
geographical area that allowed a much broader knowledge base and practices in
the field of IKS and sustainable agriculture. The results indicated that although
the participants appreciated the benefits of IKS, as it is associated with natural
farming of produce, the benefits of modern technology could also be utilised
where the combination of a variety of knowledge systems could enable the
farmers to get more yield on their crops. The commercially focused farmers
indicated that they utilised both methods in their agricultural practices to enhance
production and meet the current food demand. The usage of IKS and other
traditional agricultural practices seemed to be more prevalent in communitybased farming rather than those in commercial farming. One of the underlined
benefits of IKS sustainable farming, although IKS is only recently being
documented, is that it gives an opportunity for communities to come together
and share stories of success or failures and lessons learned. Indigenous knowledge is normally shared in the local language, which makes it easy to understand.
The combination of modern technology and traditional farming techniques
enables effective and faster farming activity using less energy. Hence, one of
the recommendations is an in-depth study of how to utilise the positive and
functional attributes of IKS to modern farming and to commercial agricultural
practices. This can allow the enhancement of both schools of thoughts and yield
positive results. For example, in the interview session with the representative and
farming expert from Agri-Skills, the researcher got the opportunity to see farming
tools designed by Agri-Skills, which incorporate traditional farming methods
with the latest technology to enhance the farming process. These farming tools
are mainly used in the rural farming areas, which have limited resources. The
study thus recommends that the sharing of IKS and incorporating it with technology and modern agriculture can create a new dynamic, agricultural practice that
will benefit commercial farmers, community or primary farmers, and households
with functional gardens.
184
J. Seko et al.