How is Indigenous knowledge Useful?
Kothari asserts that indigenous technical knowledge has two powerful advantages over outside knowledge – it has little or no cost and is readily available. Indigenous systems and technology are often cheap and can frequently be paid for in goods or services, making them more accessible to those who do not have cash incomes. Ahmed (1994: 13) finds that indigenous knowledge systems and technology are found to be socially desirable, economically affordable, sustainable and involve minimum risk to rural farmers and producers, and above all, they are widely believed to conserve resources. This sets indigenous technology and systems apart from many modern ventures. There are situations in which modern science is not appropriate, and use of simpler technologies and procedures are required. Such areas may include those where there is no infrastructure to speak of, no electricity, no roads, no access to markets for necessary inputs, no capital, and no technical know-how in or near an area. (App
