Journal of
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2170
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAERD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 489

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the impact of agricultural policies on the documentation and sharing of indigenous knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa

Fallys Masambuka-Kanchewa
  • Fallys Masambuka-Kanchewa
  • Department of Agriculture and Studies, Iowa State University, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Alexa Lamm
  • Alexa Lamm
  • Department of Agricultural Leadership and Communication, University of Georgia, United States.
  • Google Scholar
Shuyang Qu
  • Shuyang Qu
  • Department of Agriculture and Studies, Iowa State University, United States.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 19 May 2022
  •  Accepted: 28 September 2022
  •  Published: 31 October 2022

Abstract

The study sought to explore the extent to which agricultural policies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries incorporate Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and its impact on the efforts to document and share agricultural IK through communication efforts. A qualitative content analysis of policy documents from seven SSA countries and eight key informant interviews with knowledge management officers from the seven countries was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to select the countries, determine documents examined, and for the selection of key informants for the interviews. The results revealed that IK was not included in several SSA countries’ governmental agricultural policies. Activities aimed at capturing, documentation and sharing IK in SSA countries were not found despite the presence of evidence of its importance to agricultural research and development. These results provide insights on the need for researchers, communicators, educators, and decision makers to consider incorporating IK into policy associated with agricultural information dissemination to improve technology generation and adoption.

Key words: Indigenous knowledge, agriculture, adoption, policy, research, development.