Calculating the high value of indigenous knowledge systems and harnessing that knowledge for agricultural and sustainable development

This article demonstrates the high value of indigenous knowledge systems for agricultural and sustainable development in Africa. We need to capitalize on what we already know about indigenous technologies as well as compel African educational systems to evolve and find innovative ways of using and possibly, commercialize proven indigenous knowledge practices. The central thesis in this article is that agricultural and sustainable development can each be viewed through the lens of education, which in many ways is related to knowledge systems including indigenous knowledge and Western-based knowledge. These knowledge systems can be used to advance agricultural and sustainable development. Proven indigenous knowledge practices as found in data banks and their economic value in the modern times are lessons to be shared beyond geographical regions. Proponents of indigenous knowledge systems have done exceedingly well in defending the nature and heritage of indigenous knowledge, and should now as a matter of priority, seek ways of commercializing indigenous knowledge practices where possible. The article recommends for African educators, philosophers, scholars, and practitioners to fully experiment with all the knowledge systems in and out of the circles of human imagination.