Participatory Planning and Indigenous Knowledge Integration
Recognizing that local communities hold deep environmental knowledge, the project conducted household surveys and community dialogues to map perceptions and practices around soil, water, and land use. This building block answered “what” (the lived experiences and practices of smallholders), “why” (planning must reflect cultural context), and “how” (engaging farmers in co-design). Farmers shared observations about decreasing water availability, shifting rainfall, and soil degradation. These insights complemented scientific models. In response, the project promoted culturally rooted practices like terracing, organic fertilization, and home gardening. Gender-sensitive approaches empowered women as leaders in ecological restoration and household resilience.
Deep-rooted cultural knowledge, community trust, and strong leadership enabled inclusive planning. Facilitators fluent in local languages and customs built bridges between science and tradition.
Respecting indigenous knowledge fostered ownership and sustainability. Creating space for women and youth increased innovation and resilience. The process strengthened community cohesion and built confidence in local solutions. Replication requires long-term engagement and respect for socio-cultural norms.