Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge Practices for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study Investigated Indigenous Knowledge Practices for sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Data were collected using structural questionnaire administered to 120 respondent randomly selected using the simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive tools such as frequencies counts, and percentages. Findings revealed that majority of the  rural dwellers are farmers and literates and have vast knowledge of indigenous practices. There was an extensive use of indigenous knowledge in the area such as mulching, use of organic manure, sun drying, roasting and frying food, use of sacks, mixture of red pepper and placing under fire. The study further revealed that the major constraint to the use of IK as perceived by the respondents are lack of  documentation, time demanding and poor recognition. The study recommended among others that ICTs  such as computer, internet and libraries be used to make indigenous knowledge accessible  and incentives to the rural dwellers to reduce the cost they incurred in using indigenous agriculture and food security practices.

Keywords; Food security, agriculture, indigenous knowledge, sustainability, development