The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Ensuring Food

THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ENSURING FOOD
SECURITY IN NYAMIRA COUNTY KENYA SINCE 1963 TO PRESENT

Introduction
This study will examine and document the of indigenous knowledge in enhancing
food security in Kenya focusing on Nyamira county. In this context,indigenous
knowledge is the local knowledge that is distinctive to a particular society and
culture . It is the foundation for community decision making in farming, well-being,
diet preparation, school and a host of other undertakings.
On the other hand food security refers to when all people at all times have access to
sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life ( World food
summit 1996). Indigenous people have developed indigenous practices and
technology for storage, processing and preservation.
Objectives
This research will shade more light on the following
 To investigate the traditional methods which were utilized by Abagusii to
enhance food security
 To determine paradigm shifts in enhancing food security
 To find out the mechanisms that can be adopted to enhance food security
 To assess the extent to which indigenous knowledge is integrated in the current
farming methods for food security
Study questions
1. What are the specific indigenous knowledge strategies used by the Abagusii of
Nyamira county in enhancing food security?
2. How is indigenous knowledge integrated in the current farming methods for food
security?
3. What are the effects of the integration on crop production and food security
4. Which are the modern mechanisms employed to enhance food security in our
country?
Statement of the problem
It can be argued that the abandonment of the indigenous knowledge systems is one of
the causes of food insecurity as witnessed nowadays .Historically indigenous
knowledge was perceived as being mysterious, outdated, unfashionable and irrelevant
particularly to the development of developing countries.
Consequently this perception led to the marginalization of indigenous knowledge
which is now facing the danger of extinction because modernisation and other global
changes have weaken its value and disrupted its transmission and preservation.Thus
African rural communities have been living in high levels of poverty as a result of
food insecurity. This study therefore endeavours to explore the role of indigenous
knowledge in ensuring food security in Nyamira county, Kenya
Justification
 Old people who hold indigenous knowledge are dying and taking with them
valuable information to the grave meaning this information if not documented
will get lost forever yet indigenous is necessary to help country assured of enough
food production . This study is intended to establish and recommend that
indigenous knowledge should be documented and preserved before it gets extinct
if its role is found to be significant
 There is little literature on the use of indigenous knowledge in ensuring food
security in the country.
This study will therefore go along way in adding knowledge to any subsequent
study on food security and any developmental intervention that is likely to impact
on the rural communities. Thus it will easily fill the sap of available local
information and data on use of indigenous knowledge
 The recognition of the importance and value of indigenous knowledge and
practices is almost lacking in the Kenyan context . This research will explore and
document the usefulness of indigenous knowledge as far as food security is
concerned so that it is taken to be one of the interventions to be put in place so
that there is enough and regular food supply in the country
 At the same time since agriculture is given prominence as a driving force
through which poverty can be alleviated and food security assured ,this study will
hopefully encourage the people of Nyamira and others to appreciate their own
traditional methods in enhancing food production in combination with modern
farming methods . It will raise their self esteem as it will specifically identify
indigenous practices which enhance food security
 The study will also provide ministry of agriculture with information that will
stimulate it to acknowledge the role of indigenous knowledge in ensuring food
security hence make an effort to preserve it for future generations
Location
The research will geographically confine itself to Rigoma location in Borabu North
sub county in Nyamira county
This area is preferred as it has a reservoir of resource persons particularly the old
people with knowledge on utilisation of indigenous knowledge to ensure food
security among Abagusii people
This is also an area where there are still some pockets of indigenous knowledge
practices related to food security for example storage of food using traditionally
constructed stores (granaries)
Methodology
To obtain primary data individual and group interviews will be conducted
Random sampling will be employed to get the resource persons involved in food
production using indigenous knowledge in Rigoma division by use of pieces of papers
bearing “Yes or No “
Structured questionnaire will also put into use comprising of open and closed ended
questions
Field observation will also be undertaken to observe the various mechanisms used to
produce , preserve or store food
Data collection instruments will include questionnaires which are easy to administer
and even arrange and organize data easily
The collected data will be analyzed qualitatively
The study will also be guided by Robert Chamber’s Theory of sustainable livelihood

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THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ENSURING FOOD

SECURITY IN NYAMIRA COUNTY KENYA SINCE 1963 TO PRESENT

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