between other crops like cabbage, spinach, and onions also assists in the
reduction of ants and termites.
5. Crop rotation was observed to be essential, as it ensures efficient land use and
soil fertility.
6. In the process of farming, soil resting was also identified. The farmers stated that
they stop farming on a particular piece of land for a specified period in order to
ensure that the soil replenishes its nutrients. The participants used different
natural products to cover the unused land in order to limit damage and erosion
during the resting period. The products used for this purpose include (but not
limited to) avocado tree leaves, grass and lawn cuttings, manure corn plants.
7. The practice of hydroponic farming (which encompasses the inclusion of
modern technology and the usage of a natural product/water) ensures that one
can produce more crop per square metre of land available.
8. The farmers in Refilwe observed that the farming of indigenous plants is a good
practice, as it created a new market in the industry. The indigenous plants
include indigenous morogo like thepe or lerotho (morogo is a green-leaved
plant that could be categorised in the same group as spinach or kale; however,
the plant leaves are smaller and look flat) and indigenous pumpkin, named
leraka.
9. Farmers found methods to preserve crops. This is done by par-boiling of crops
like chomolia (kale), pumpkin leaves, and indigenous morogo. After boiling, the
crops are dried under the sun (the name used for the dried crop is Mokhusha).
This method assists in combating poverty and malnourishment as the farmer is
able to provide these products to poor communities and they are able to have
access to nutritious food over a longer period.
10. Farmers found ways to utilise waste as useful products. For example, chicken
manure is used as cattle feed and crop fertiliser. In the latter case, the manure is
turned into what is called “chicken tea” by mixing the manure with water in a
homemade container for a week or longer and allowed to ferment. The manure is
then drained, and the liquid used as crop fertiliser. Fertilisers also can be created
by burning grass using the ash as a fertiliser and by drying plants that are
regarded as a weed, which are rich in nutrients.
11. The farmers also use natural methods to design the farming area; this is done by
identifying and understanding the water flow and direction of the land and
underground water system. These methods ensure the optimisation of the
water use and limit water wastage. The respondents also indicated that due to
the limited water supply in their areas they also applied water to crops during the
recommended time (the crops are watered in the evenings after sunset or early
mornings before sunrise) to ensure maximum benefit to the crops and reduce
water evaporation that occurs during the day.
12. Farmers practice cross-breeding of cattle to increase milk production. The
farmers stated that one needs to understand why they cross-breed and know
which cattle to breed. The traits preferred by farmers for cross-breeding of
livestock are milk yield and meat content.
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
201
reduction of ants and termites.
5. Crop rotation was observed to be essential, as it ensures efficient land use and
soil fertility.
6. In the process of farming, soil resting was also identified. The farmers stated that
they stop farming on a particular piece of land for a specified period in order to
ensure that the soil replenishes its nutrients. The participants used different
natural products to cover the unused land in order to limit damage and erosion
during the resting period. The products used for this purpose include (but not
limited to) avocado tree leaves, grass and lawn cuttings, manure corn plants.
7. The practice of hydroponic farming (which encompasses the inclusion of
modern technology and the usage of a natural product/water) ensures that one
can produce more crop per square metre of land available.
8. The farmers in Refilwe observed that the farming of indigenous plants is a good
practice, as it created a new market in the industry. The indigenous plants
include indigenous morogo like thepe or lerotho (morogo is a green-leaved
plant that could be categorised in the same group as spinach or kale; however,
the plant leaves are smaller and look flat) and indigenous pumpkin, named
leraka.
9. Farmers found methods to preserve crops. This is done by par-boiling of crops
like chomolia (kale), pumpkin leaves, and indigenous morogo. After boiling, the
crops are dried under the sun (the name used for the dried crop is Mokhusha).
This method assists in combating poverty and malnourishment as the farmer is
able to provide these products to poor communities and they are able to have
access to nutritious food over a longer period.
10. Farmers found ways to utilise waste as useful products. For example, chicken
manure is used as cattle feed and crop fertiliser. In the latter case, the manure is
turned into what is called “chicken tea” by mixing the manure with water in a
homemade container for a week or longer and allowed to ferment. The manure is
then drained, and the liquid used as crop fertiliser. Fertilisers also can be created
by burning grass using the ash as a fertiliser and by drying plants that are
regarded as a weed, which are rich in nutrients.
11. The farmers also use natural methods to design the farming area; this is done by
identifying and understanding the water flow and direction of the land and
underground water system. These methods ensure the optimisation of the
water use and limit water wastage. The respondents also indicated that due to
the limited water supply in their areas they also applied water to crops during the
recommended time (the crops are watered in the evenings after sunset or early
mornings before sunrise) to ensure maximum benefit to the crops and reduce
water evaporation that occurs during the day.
12. Farmers practice cross-breeding of cattle to increase milk production. The
farmers stated that one needs to understand why they cross-breed and know
which cattle to breed. The traits preferred by farmers for cross-breeding of
livestock are milk yield and meat content.
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
201