Indigenous agricultural knowledge in schools for community food security in India

What is it about?

The importance of traditional food crops such as small-millets and associated crops (SMAC) and related Indigenous agricultural knowledge (IAK) is being recognized to meet current and food security needs. What happens when IAK interacts with schooling ? We explore the local understanding and importance of IAK related to SMAC through young learners (school-going students) and their mentors (local farmers and community members), using a case study of school-based competition in Anchetty region of India.

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Why is it important?

We found that school competition is perceived as potential pedagogical strategy to promote learning of IAK in formal school settings in order to safeguard the existing and future food security of local communities. However the IAK of SMAC is not highly valued by young or mature community holders. Pedagogical programmes that aim to revitalise IAK must meaningfully acknowledge students who demonstrate a wealth of knowledge in these areas and promote an environment in which youth not only want to learn about SMAC but also want to engage in its actual production and consumption.