Integrating indigenous knowledge system in extension education: The potential for sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria

A research article indigenous knowledge system in Extension education with tables

This paper looks at the integration of indigenous knowledge system in Extension education with the aim of promoting sustainable agricultural development. It explores the meaning of indigenous knowledge and extension education. Attempts made in the past to achieve agricultural development, provide rationale to valuing indigenous knowledge and integrating indigenous knowledge in extension education. Efforts have been made in the past in pursuit of agricultural development but few of those involved in these effort including those in extension services take the trouble to understand the farmers and their indigenous knowledge rather the farmers are often described in generalization as ultra – conservative, steeped in tradition, hemmed in by custom, lacking in motivation and inactive, captive to age-old methods, incapable of making wise decisions. There have however, been a growing consensus now that some of the solutions to the problems that currently plague agricultural development must proceed from the role of understanding the dynamics within the local context and local capacities. Such dynamics include the roles of indigenous knowledge and practice in sustainable agricultural development. This can be achieved by integrating indigenous knowledge into the extension education system to address some of the knowledge deficiencies for development that is currently formulated from the western perspective. There is therefore a need for paradigm shift towards harnessing indigenous knowledge for the development of extension service since sustainable agriculture in all nations will require greater scientific respect for and more effective collaboration with those who possess the wisdom of generations of non scientific farming. It is in the face of this that indigenous knowledge becomes handy especially in its ability to promote sustainable agricultural development.