Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania
Smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa faces many problems. The adoption of modern innovations has been low. Indigenous alternatives may constitute alternatives; however, they have received less attention. This study contributes to filling this gap in the case study of Turiani, Tanzania. A mi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2493319 |
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| author | Denis Chomboko Theobald Theodory Michael Brüntrup Venance Shillingi Saymore Ngonidzashe Kativu Anna-Katharina Hornidge |
| author_facet | Denis Chomboko Theobald Theodory Michael Brüntrup Venance Shillingi Saymore Ngonidzashe Kativu Anna-Katharina Hornidge |
| author_sort | Denis Chomboko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa faces many problems. The adoption of modern innovations has been low. Indigenous alternatives may constitute alternatives; however, they have received less attention. This study contributes to filling this gap in the case study of Turiani, Tanzania. A mixed-method research design was used to understand farmers’ use and assessment of indigenous technologies. The quantitative survey covered 280 households, with 16 qualitative in-depth expert interviews. Almost all farmers were aware of indigenous technologies. Well over one-third applied indigenous practices to a high degree, just over a third to a moderate degree. The assessments varied substantially by technology; most methods of harvesting, crop storage, and indigenous water management were very positively assessed, while indigenous seed practices, irrigation, and granaries received less but still positive appreciation. Farmers were divided with regard to indigenous land management and crop rotation. A few indigenous technologies have been widely considered with skepticism, particularly pest control. Overall, the results indicate that farmers merged indigenous and modern knowledge. This is highly specific, we call this ‘local’ knowledge, in explicit difference to purely ‘indigenous and traditional’ knowledge. We conclude that it would seem worthwhile to maintain, scientifically validate, possibly further refine, and disseminate selected indigenous technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a6d811a1bb64272b6128dc04cba790a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2331-1886 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a6d811a1bb64272b6128dc04cba790a2025-08-20T03:53:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862025-12-0111110.1080/23311886.2025.2493319Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, TanzaniaDenis Chomboko0Theobald Theodory1Michael Brüntrup2Venance Shillingi3Saymore Ngonidzashe Kativu4Anna-Katharina Hornidge5Department of Economics, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, TanzaniaDepartment of Economics, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, TanzaniaProgramme Transformation of ‘Economic and Social Development, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Bonn, GermanyDepartment of Economics, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, TanzaniaProgramme Transformation of ‘Economic and Social Development, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Bonn, GermanyProgramme Transformation of ‘Economic and Social Development, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Bonn, GermanySmallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa faces many problems. The adoption of modern innovations has been low. Indigenous alternatives may constitute alternatives; however, they have received less attention. This study contributes to filling this gap in the case study of Turiani, Tanzania. A mixed-method research design was used to understand farmers’ use and assessment of indigenous technologies. The quantitative survey covered 280 households, with 16 qualitative in-depth expert interviews. Almost all farmers were aware of indigenous technologies. Well over one-third applied indigenous practices to a high degree, just over a third to a moderate degree. The assessments varied substantially by technology; most methods of harvesting, crop storage, and indigenous water management were very positively assessed, while indigenous seed practices, irrigation, and granaries received less but still positive appreciation. Farmers were divided with regard to indigenous land management and crop rotation. A few indigenous technologies have been widely considered with skepticism, particularly pest control. Overall, the results indicate that farmers merged indigenous and modern knowledge. This is highly specific, we call this ‘local’ knowledge, in explicit difference to purely ‘indigenous and traditional’ knowledge. We conclude that it would seem worthwhile to maintain, scientifically validate, possibly further refine, and disseminate selected indigenous technologies.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2493319Indigenous knowledgefarming systemsfood systemsagriculturesustainabilityfood security |
| spellingShingle | Denis Chomboko Theobald Theodory Michael Brüntrup Venance Shillingi Saymore Ngonidzashe Kativu Anna-Katharina Hornidge Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania Cogent Social Sciences Indigenous knowledge farming systems food systems agriculture sustainability food security |
| title | Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania |
| title_full | Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania |
| title_short | Indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in Turiani division, Tanzania |
| title_sort | indigenous knowledge for sustainable food security in turiani division tanzania |
| topic | Indigenous knowledge farming systems food systems agriculture sustainability food security |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2493319 |
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