Rescuing local knowledge with regards to soil management and fertility in the Amazon Region of Ecuador

Abstract

Sustainable soil management methods that consider farmers' needs and soil conservation, require the integration of scientific knowledge and farming practices. Therefore, this study has asked a. How do farmers perceive fertility indicators in relation to their management in agriculture? b. What strategies do small farmers implement to maintain soil health on their farmland? c. Are there correlations between scientific findings and farmers' perceptions of soil management indicators and practices in the Ecuadorian Amazon? A total of 287 surveys were applied with 35 questions that covered the general data of the respondent, visible indicators of soil fertility, soil management and conservation practices, as well as knowledge acquisition. The soil scientific data were obtained from the map made by the MAG and FAO (2018) of the locations where the surveys were conducted. The results show that farmers have an in-depth knowledge with respect to soil fertility, identifying several visible indicators, including some plants that indicate productive soils, while utilizing various practices that degrade the soil and others that contribute to soil conservation at the local level. Although the indicators used by the farmers were mainly based on observation, in many respects they coincided with scientific assessments of fertile or infertile soils. These farmers, with their vast practical experience and knowledge accumulated over generations, developed a deep understanding of the telltale signs of soil fertility. There is not always concordance between the two forms of knowledge, however, the synergy between traditional and scientific knowledge illustrates the importance of integrating different forms of knowledge for effective and sustainable land management.