Indigenous Knowledge: A Necessity in the Extension and Development Process

An over-emphasis on transfer of technology into the rural areas has been shown as affecting environment and natural resources. Besides, extension performances based on technology diffusion are not in harmony with present needs. Insistence on the technology transfer has also resulted in a vague relation between human and the environment. Studies have lead to the identification of "indigenous knowledge", a total neglect of which has so far caused substantial distortions in sustainable development plans. It appears to be complementary to the modern sciences in terms of strengths and weaknesses; by a combination of them, nevertheless, there might be achievements otherwise never would be reached. This paper illustrates the results of selected studies on indigenous knowledge, aiming at introducing a need for getting it in focus while planning the extension and development process. Data were gathered in both desk and field methods. Field studies are characterized by using qualitative research methods and approaches such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). Among other results, this research tends to introduce a primary and effective contribution of extension in accelerating the rural sustainable development process as well as to represent Iranian indigenous knowledge as a necessity in the extension and sustainable development process.