An assessment of traditional knowledge-food security-climate variability nexus in Wayanad
Student name: Mr Swaran V
Guide: Dr Chubamenla Jamir
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: MS Swaminathan Research Foundation- Community Agrobiodiversity Centre, Wayanad, Kerala
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr C.S. Chandrika
Abstract: The erosion of traditional knowledge and the practices allied with them is eroding at a
faster pace across the world. Most of this erosion is intricately linked with the changes
occurring in the socio-ecological landscapes wherein it has evolved. Wayanad district
in Kerala, Southern India is a biodiversity hotspot and treasure trove of different
indigenous knowledge systems existing among its multitude of adivasi communities.
Mostly related to wild food, ethno-medicines and farming, similar knowledge sets are
expected to prove an important role in attaining food security in the wake of climate
change. This study investigates the influence of this knowledge system in food security
and its present status in Wayanad district. Attempts have been made here to assess the
challenges faced by traditional knowledge holders in the context of climate variability
and other social factors. The study gauges the perceptions of people on local weather
pattern and how far it is in concurrence with recorded observations. Using
interdisciplinary methods of bringing in tools of social sciences and meteorology this
study tries to assess the present status of each of these components. Suggestions have
been made to sustain and augment the traditional knowledge systems and on its
possibilities to address food security of the society at large.
Keywords: traditional knowledge; food security; agrobiodiversity; climate variability;
Wayanad;-adivasis.
