other herbs to create “pesticides”. This method is cheaper to maintain and, as stated
by the respondents, more effective in pest management. The question of whether
IKS is used in their chosen agricultural practices was replied to in the following
manner:
In the questionnaire, the option for choosing the usage of both modern knowledge
systems and IKS was not provided for. During the data capturing session one of the
observations and findings was that 40% of the participants utilised both systems in
their agricultural practices. There was a participant who exclusively stated that
because of the commercial focus and business model of their farm, the participant’s
choice of farming was based on a technique which they deemed as sustainable and
environmentally friendly called hydroponics
1 . However, with other crops that
require more time and maintenance, traditional farming methods were preferred,
and these participants also understood the principles of IKS in farming. The choice
to include the hydroponics technique to these participants was also to ensure the
sustainability of the environment. The economic impact is that this type of farming
enabled the farmers to provide the crop throughout the year, even when the crop is
out of season in South Africa. The decision to combine multiple knowledge systems
could be an indication that the participants took time to identify the best practices
and advantages of both systems to enhance their production and have more yield on
the crops. There was an indication from the majority of the participants that the
choice to utilise traditional farming methods and practices is essential for certain
types of crops and has an impact on the crop that is produced.
Ninety per cent of the farmers stated that the knowledge and the experience were
generational family knowledge, which has been passed on from one generation to
the next over the years, either through storytelling or practical participation in
farming through the experiences of family members. These farmers came from
families that had generations of farmers and they currently farm on the inherited
land. About half of the farmers obtained knowledge from parents who had functional
gardens.
Additional sources of knowledge acquisitions were also identified in the study.
The respondents were able to acquire and share knowledge from participating in
study groups with other agricultural practitioners; these groups are organised in the
areas that the participants are located. The farmers also have networks where they
engage and interact with colleagues on other farms, engagements with agricultural
suppliers, and for the livestock farmers, sessions with veterinarians also provided an
opportunity to learn both modern animal care and traditional animal care. The
knowledge is further acquired through storytelling sessions in the community and
engagements with community members during community meetings where farmers
share their experiences and best practices. There are also institutions that took an
effort to engage and teach rural communities about farming and farming techniques
that are economically feasible, which included the usage of IKS. The foundation for
1 A system where plants are grown in growth media other than natural soil. All the nutrients are
dissolved in the irrigation water and are supplied on a regular basis to plants. (ARC, n.d.: online).
196
J. Seko et al.
by the respondents, more effective in pest management. The question of whether
IKS is used in their chosen agricultural practices was replied to in the following
manner:
In the questionnaire, the option for choosing the usage of both modern knowledge
systems and IKS was not provided for. During the data capturing session one of the
observations and findings was that 40% of the participants utilised both systems in
their agricultural practices. There was a participant who exclusively stated that
because of the commercial focus and business model of their farm, the participant’s
choice of farming was based on a technique which they deemed as sustainable and
environmentally friendly called hydroponics
1 . However, with other crops that
require more time and maintenance, traditional farming methods were preferred,
and these participants also understood the principles of IKS in farming. The choice
to include the hydroponics technique to these participants was also to ensure the
sustainability of the environment. The economic impact is that this type of farming
enabled the farmers to provide the crop throughout the year, even when the crop is
out of season in South Africa. The decision to combine multiple knowledge systems
could be an indication that the participants took time to identify the best practices
and advantages of both systems to enhance their production and have more yield on
the crops. There was an indication from the majority of the participants that the
choice to utilise traditional farming methods and practices is essential for certain
types of crops and has an impact on the crop that is produced.
Ninety per cent of the farmers stated that the knowledge and the experience were
generational family knowledge, which has been passed on from one generation to
the next over the years, either through storytelling or practical participation in
farming through the experiences of family members. These farmers came from
families that had generations of farmers and they currently farm on the inherited
land. About half of the farmers obtained knowledge from parents who had functional
gardens.
Additional sources of knowledge acquisitions were also identified in the study.
The respondents were able to acquire and share knowledge from participating in
study groups with other agricultural practitioners; these groups are organised in the
areas that the participants are located. The farmers also have networks where they
engage and interact with colleagues on other farms, engagements with agricultural
suppliers, and for the livestock farmers, sessions with veterinarians also provided an
opportunity to learn both modern animal care and traditional animal care. The
knowledge is further acquired through storytelling sessions in the community and
engagements with community members during community meetings where farmers
share their experiences and best practices. There are also institutions that took an
effort to engage and teach rural communities about farming and farming techniques
that are economically feasible, which included the usage of IKS. The foundation for
1 A system where plants are grown in growth media other than natural soil. All the nutrients are
dissolved in the irrigation water and are supplied on a regular basis to plants. (ARC, n.d.: online).
196
J. Seko et al.