This thesis presents research on local agronomic and ecological knowledge about agroforestry systems using the knowledge-based system (KBS) approach. The research focused on the cocoa multi-strata systems of southern Cameroon. Its objectives were to investigate farmers ' agronomic and ecological knowledge
about the management of these systems, and to identify key gaps in farmers'
knowledge as a means to facilitating planning and prioritisation of research and
extension activities.
In order to achieve this, farmers' knowledge was investigated in four contrasting
locations distinguished by ecological zone, population density and access to
market, and was relating to: i) their perceptions of the above and belowground
ecological processes occurring in their cocoa fields, ii) their knowledge on cocoa
pests and diseases occurrence and management, iii) Their systems of soil
classification and implications of these for soil resources availability and
management and, iv) their perceptions of soil-tree interactions and effects on
system sustainability and productivity. A knowledge base documenting farmers '
understanding of these issues was developed. In-built features of the KBS
software were used to access knowledge contained in the knowledge base, and to retrieve and analyse information on specific topics or set of topics.
Key findings indicated that farmers' in southern Cameroon possessed
sophisticated knowledge on the subjects investigated, and that they actively use
that knowledge as the basis for making decisions about the management options of their multistrata cocoa systems. There were indications of induced knowledge formation in some locations as a result of intensification of the system with introduction of non-native species or domestication of native species of interest. The analysis of the numbers of statements provided by individual informants shows a fairly continuous distribution, with about half of the informants providing less than 25% of the statements.
The study also found that farmers' overall knowledge was likely similar to what is
known scientifically, though the management options usually differ between the
two communities for various reasons that are discussed. Key issues having
implications for further research and extension activities are identified. The study concludes by suggesting an effective integration of global science and local knowledge for sustainable and productive cocoa systems, rather than reliance on one source at the expense of the other. As local knowledge is being eroded pointing to its inevitable loss as socio-economic and environmental circumstances change, the study recommends use of the knowledge-based systems methodology as a means to documenting this valuable domain of knowledge.