Knowledge Management Approach for Managing Indigenous Knowledge of Crop Production

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge refers to a complete body of knowledge, know-how and practices maintained and developed by peoples through generations in rural areas. However, the usage of this knowledge is decreasing at alarming rates. Thus, the aim of the study was to identify indigenous knowledge of crop production in Southwest Shewa Zone. Purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Focus group discussion as well as questionnaire were the used for data collection. The finding of the study indicated that women have a great role to store and protect crops as well as for seed selection. To protect crops from weevils, the grain stored in a locally made storage known as dogoogoo/gumbii. Moreover, it is mixed with powder of leaves of Croton macrostachyus. To improve crop production in indigenous system, farmers used methods like crop rotation, using animal manure, fallowing and sowing quality seed. The farmers acquired this knowledge by seeing and doing, sharing or transferring through oral and folklores
and preserve it in their memory. However, there are numbers of barriers of managing this knowledge, among others modernization, oral transfer, lack of interest to receive it by younger generation, lack of recognition, records and trust. Therefore, the researchers recommended that
all responsible bodies engage in formal documentation, sharing and transferring of this knowledge. To this end, the researchers proposed knowledge management framework that helps on how indigenous knowledge should be managed.