Indigenous knowledge has often been dismissed as unsystematic and incapable of meeting the productivity needs of the modern world. As a consequence, indigenous knowledge has not been captured and stored in a systematic way, with the implicit danger it may become extinct. Fortunately the situation has changed. Since the last decade of 20th century one may witness an explosive growth in the number of publications on the relevance of indigenous knowledge in a variety of policy sectors and academic disciplines. The interest in the contribution of indigenous knowledge to a better understanding of sustainable development has been catalysed by UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992.
Indigenous knowledge is dynamic.
It is the result of a continuous process of experimentation, innovation, and adaptation, which enables indigenous knowledge to blend with science and technology as well. Indigenous knowledge should be further integrated in the work of scientists as a complementary contribution to all efforts of science and technology in its search for solutions and strategies to combat poverty and to generate sustainability in development. It is therefore fortunate to observe that global science has acknowledged the relevance of indigenous knowledge as well. Local communities and other relevant players should be involved in these projects. Development professionals consider indigenous knowledge as an invaluable and under-utilised knowledge reservoir, which presents developing countries with a powerful asset.