Abstract
Even though the significance of indigenous knowledge in agriculture is internationally recognised, the role thereof in disaster risk reduction in South Africa is not well documented. This article determined the influence of indigenous knowledge in drought risk reduction in O.R. Tambo district of the Eastern Cape province (South Africa). Primary data were collected from 87 communal farmers through purposive sampling using a structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were also held with the target group (farmers and extension officers) to gain more information and clarification on indigenous knowledge. The finding indicated that the majority of respondents (64.4%) relied on indigenous knowledge in their farming practice and drought risk reduction. Two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondents revealed that indigenous knowledge contributed to the resilience of farmers towards drought. The respondents unanimously agreed that indigenous knowledge is losing its significance in farming and drought risk reduction, because the younger generation did not value it anymore. Lack of documentation and deterioration of its application by the younger generation were found to be the main challenge for most respondents. The study concluded that indigenous knowledge was still an integral part of agricultural practices, applied drought risk reduction strategies and contributed to resilience against disasters. Based on the findings, the study recommends that indigenous knowledge be compiled, documented and published so that all farmers can learn of effective farming practices, passed on from generation to generation. Community holders of such information are encouraged to make younger generations aware of the benefits of indigenous knowledge to promote its usage.
Highlights
The independence of South Africa from apartheid in 1994 ushered in a new era where indigenous farming would no longer be alienated by the majority of South Africans (Magoro 2004)
Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions (FCDs) were conducted with 87 communal farmers using a questionnaire to identify the indigenous knowledge indicators used in drought risk reduction in the study area including socio-economic characteristics of respondents; farming practice; types of indigenous knowledge applied such as indicators of early warning signs, preservation techniques for seed, drought preparedness and rituals, scarce animals and challenges faces during application of indigenous knowledge
The results indicated that the majority of respondents (64.4%) relied on indigenous knowledge in their farming practice and drought risk reduction
Summary
The independence of South Africa from apartheid in 1994 ushered in a new era where indigenous farming would no longer be alienated by the majority of South Africans (Magoro 2004). Indigenous knowledge is a wisdom that develops within a particular culture and specific geographical area and has been orally transmitted from one generation to another through art, songs, stories and laws (Rusiro, Tshuma & Basikiti 2013). Boven and Morohashi (2002) indicate that indigenous knowledge originates among and is maintained by local people, usually in the rural areas, through their extended interaction with their environment. The use of indigenous knowledge is especially relevant to poor and rural communities that have high illiteracy levels and are unable to access information. Indigenous agricultural knowledge provides a means of dealing with challenging situations. Agricultural decisions made on the basis of indigenous knowledge help farmers prepare and cope with catastrophes (Warren 1991)
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