A recently developed knowledge-based systems (KBS) method in which a social science approach was used to collect and analyze local ecological knowledge is described in a jungle rubber agroforestry context in Jambi, Indonesia. The approach is in line with a view that local knowledge can and does play a significant role in the generation of sustainable technology for rural development and that local ecological knowledge is decipherable, despite conflicting views of senior anthropoloists and social scientists. We demonstrate that local ecological knowledge can be sophisticated, explanatory and useful and helps deveolpment professionals understand farmer's mental models of their farm ecology. The chapter gives examples of local ecological knowledge about jungle rubber agroforstry and of direct grafting of rubber clonal buds directly on to rubber seedlings in the field.
Publication year
2001
Authors
Joshi L; van Noordwijk, M.; Sinclair, F.
Language
English
Keywords
agroforestry, local knowledge, rubber
Geographic
Indonesia
