9.9
Initiatives for Sustainability of IKS in Agricultural Practices
Having discussed the benefits and challenges of IKS in agricultural practices, this
section deals with the initiatives for sustainability of IKS in agricultural practices.
Respondents indicated that it is not ideal to just share the knowledge and information
without engaging the recipients of the knowledge. During the observation session at
Refilwe, Mnandi, and Hammanskraal, the authors was able to engage the
respondents in the harvesting of spinach, kale, and butternuts and also in the feeding
sessions of pullets, while at Onspoed the farmers provided opportunity to the authors
to assist in the planting of crops in the Zaza holes created in the process. The
successful implementation of the initiatives that encourage the usage of IKS and
the practice of sustainable agriculture is highly depended on having recipients who
are willing to learn and obtain an in-depth understanding of the agricultural
practices. All the respondents stated that for IKS to be successfully implemented
and used widely in the farming field, it will be beneficial for emerging farmers and
youth to be receptive of the practice. The following initiatives add value to the IKS in
agricultural practices.
• The knowledge sharing sessions aim at educating the community on different
aspects of sustainable agriculture, and how households can create gardens in
order to reduce the level of poverty and improve on food security. These sessions
are inclusive of the youth in the community and the elderly who are in need of
additional skills in order to create additional income and sustain themselves and
their families.
• In the areas that have limited water supplies like Onspoed, Sokhulumi, and
Onverwacht, the farmers have established water conservation fora that focuses
on acquiring information and practices on methods of water conservation and
crop management with limited water resources.
• The youth development initiatives focus on training the youth in IKS pertaining
to agricultural practices.
• It was stated by all respondents that mentoring start-up farmers are essential as it
creates more growth in the industry; these activities include mentoring sessions
and guidance on matters like market penetration plans, understanding the business of agriculture, information on institutions that provide support for emerging
farmers, seed and crop selection processes based on the area their farms are
situated in, and seed exchange programmes and activities between farmers.
A prevalent challenge that all the respondents faced was the documentation of
indigenous knowledge. The respondents indicated that in their private capacity
they are starting to document the lessons they have learned from their
experiences. This will enable future generations to understand and have access
to information on the application of indigenous knowledge systems in the agricultural practices of their choice.
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
205
Initiatives for Sustainability of IKS in Agricultural Practices
Having discussed the benefits and challenges of IKS in agricultural practices, this
section deals with the initiatives for sustainability of IKS in agricultural practices.
Respondents indicated that it is not ideal to just share the knowledge and information
without engaging the recipients of the knowledge. During the observation session at
Refilwe, Mnandi, and Hammanskraal, the authors was able to engage the
respondents in the harvesting of spinach, kale, and butternuts and also in the feeding
sessions of pullets, while at Onspoed the farmers provided opportunity to the authors
to assist in the planting of crops in the Zaza holes created in the process. The
successful implementation of the initiatives that encourage the usage of IKS and
the practice of sustainable agriculture is highly depended on having recipients who
are willing to learn and obtain an in-depth understanding of the agricultural
practices. All the respondents stated that for IKS to be successfully implemented
and used widely in the farming field, it will be beneficial for emerging farmers and
youth to be receptive of the practice. The following initiatives add value to the IKS in
agricultural practices.
• The knowledge sharing sessions aim at educating the community on different
aspects of sustainable agriculture, and how households can create gardens in
order to reduce the level of poverty and improve on food security. These sessions
are inclusive of the youth in the community and the elderly who are in need of
additional skills in order to create additional income and sustain themselves and
their families.
• In the areas that have limited water supplies like Onspoed, Sokhulumi, and
Onverwacht, the farmers have established water conservation fora that focuses
on acquiring information and practices on methods of water conservation and
crop management with limited water resources.
• The youth development initiatives focus on training the youth in IKS pertaining
to agricultural practices.
• It was stated by all respondents that mentoring start-up farmers are essential as it
creates more growth in the industry; these activities include mentoring sessions
and guidance on matters like market penetration plans, understanding the business of agriculture, information on institutions that provide support for emerging
farmers, seed and crop selection processes based on the area their farms are
situated in, and seed exchange programmes and activities between farmers.
A prevalent challenge that all the respondents faced was the documentation of
indigenous knowledge. The respondents indicated that in their private capacity
they are starting to document the lessons they have learned from their
experiences. This will enable future generations to understand and have access
to information on the application of indigenous knowledge systems in the agricultural practices of their choice.
9 Assessing the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Sustainable. . .
205