Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development: The Case of Pest Control by Traditional paddy Farmers in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The view of sustainable development has emerged as an alternative to the conventional development winch has apparently failed to alleviate poverty in the Third World countries. The view of sustainable development emphasizes the significance of the conservation of ecosystem productivity for the sustainability of development. Therefore indigenous knowledge which represents the successful ways in which people have dealt with their environment over centuries, has a greater potential value to the sustainable development. This study explores the Sri Lankan paddy farmers’ indigenous knowledge of the pest control, and points out its relevance to the sustainable development, It also suggests that modern technology should be integrated with the indigenous knowledge in order to develop environmentally sound, economically viable and effective technologies which could contribute to the sustainable development.