Protection of traditional agricultural knowledge and rethinking agricultural research from farmers' perspective: A case from Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Traditional agricultural knowledge of local farming communities in centers of genetic diversity is a foundational component of modern agricultural practices. This paper aims to explore how traditional agricultural knowledge of farmer communities and scientific knowledge can be brought together, and become the focus of agricultural research and technologies which meet the priorities defined by farmers themselves. We will address this issue in the context of Turkey, a Vavilov center of genetic origin and diversity for several important crops. The fieldwork of the paper is based on open-ended, in-depth interviews with six pioneer farmers from different parts of Turkey, 22 farmers in Kars who are stewards of genetic resources and holders of traditional agricultural knowledge, two millers/farmers and a scientist from Kafkas University in Kars. The paper aims to lay out, from farmers' perspectives: (a) what are the priorities for agricultural research and technologies that can enable the continuation of traditional agricultural practices and heritage, and sustain farmers' livelihoods at the same time (b) in what ways can these priorities be realized. As such, the paper aims to contribute to the debate on democratization of agricultural research. The paper will argue that even though a great potential for integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with scientific knowledge exists, in the absence of a relational context in which farmers and experts can engage with each other on equal grounds, individual efforts by innovative farmers will remain limited in terms of changing power relations and prioritizing farmers’ knowledge and research needs.