A systems approach to comparing indigenous and scientific knowledge: consistency and discriminatory power of indigenous and laboratory assessment of the nutritive value of tree fodder

In recent years, the assumption in agricultural R&D that scientific knowled ge can and should displace local knowledge and practice has been challenged by an emerging view of local knowledge as a key component of an agricultur al system. This paper describes a study of the discriminatory powers of ass essment by farmers and by laboratory techniques, of the nutritive value of tree fodder found in the middle hills of Nepal. The two systems of nutritiv e value assessment for tree fodder are described and evaluated through deta iled investigation of eight types of tree fodder tone leguminous and seven non-leguminous), used to supplement crop residue-based diets for cattle dur ing the dry season. Both systems are shown to provide means of discriminati ng fodder sources in terms of their nutritive value that are comparable in terms-of discriminatory power and consistency. This research suggests that laboratory assessment of the feed quality of tropical tree fodder may be us ed to build on and enhance rather than replace local classification. (C) 20 00 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.