THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY IN NYAMIRA COUNTY
KENYA SINCE 1963 TO PRESENT
Introduction
Indigenous knowledge is the local knowledge that is distinctive to a particular society and
culture
It is the foundation for community decision making in farming, well-being, diet preparation,
school and a host of other undertakings
On the other hand food security refers to when all people at all times have access to
sufficient safe nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life ( World food summit
1996)
Indigenous people have developed indigenous practise and technology for storage,
processing and preservation.
This study will examine and document the of indigenous knowledge in enhancing food
security in Kenya focusing on Nyamira county.
Study objectives
This research will shade more light on the following
1. Investigate the traditional methods which were utilized by Abagusii to enhance food security
2. To determine paradigm shifts in enhancing food security
3. To fund out the mechanisms that can be adopted to enhance food security
4. To assess the extent to which indigenous knowledge is integrated in the current farming
methods for food security
Statement of the problem
It can be argued that the abandonment of the indigenous knowledge systems is one of the
causes of food insecurity as witnessed nowadays
Historically indigenous knowledge was perceived as being mysterious, outdated,
unfashionable and irrelevant particularly to the development of developing countries.
Consequently this perception led to the marginalization of indigenous knowledge hence
African rural communities have been living in high levels of poverty as a result of food
insecurity thus, this study endeavour to explore the role of indigenous knowledge in
ensuring food security in Nyamira county, Kenya
Study positions
5. what are the specific indigenous knowledge strategies used by the Abagusii of Nyamira
county in enhancing food security
6. How is indigenous knowledge integrated in the current farming methods for food security
7. What are the effects of the integration on crop production and food security
8. Which are the modern mechanisms employed to enhance food security in our country.
Old people who hold iv are dying and taking with them valuable information to the grave
meaning this information not documented will get lost forever yet iv is necessary to help
count assured of enough food production . This study is meant to establish and recommend
Justification
That iv should be documented and preserved before it gets extinct if its role is bound to be
significant
The recognition of the importance and value of indigenous knowledge and practices is
almost lacking in the Kenyan content
There is also little literature on the use of indigenous knowledge in ensuring food security in
the county
This study will therefore go along way in adding knowledge to any subsequent study on
food security and any developmental intervention that is likely to impact on the rural
communities. Thus it will easily fill the sap of available local information and data on use of
indigenous knowledge
At the same time since enhance food security agriculture is given prominence as a driving
force through which poverty can be alleviated and food security assured ,this study will
hopefully encourage the people of Nyamira and other to appreciate their own traditional
methods in enhancing food production in combination with modern farming methods
It will raise their self esteem as it will specifically identify indigenous practices which
enhances food security ,det
The study will also provide ministry of agriculture with information that will stimulate it to
acknowledge in ensuring food security hence make an effort to preserve it for future
generations
Location
The research will geographically confine itself to Rigoma location in Borabu North sub
county in Nyamira county
This area is preferred as it has a reservoir of resource persons particularly the old people and
farmers with indigenous methods of food security adopted by Abagusii people
This is an area where there are still some pockets of indigenous knowledge practices related
to food security
Methodology
To obtain primary data individual and group interviews will be conducted
Random sampling will be employed to get the resource persons involved in food production
using indigenous knowledge in Rigome division by use of pieces papers bearing “Yes or No
“
Structured questionnaire will also put into use comprising of open and closed ended
questions
Field observation will also be undertaken to observe the various mechanisms used to
produce ,preserve or store food
Data collection instruments will include questionnaires which are easy to administer and
even arrange and organize data easily
The collected data will be analyzed qualitatively no quantities non-numerical statements org
The study will also be guided by Robert Chambers Theory of sustainable livelihood which
analyses causes of poverty without focusing on the just a few factors
