The sustainable agriculture learning framework: An extension approach for indigenous farmers

Sustainable agriculture has been linked as a potential pathway to food security for developing countries. In many developing countries, indigenous farmers have been practising sustainable methods of agriculture for hundreds, often thousands of years. Agricultural extension in developing countries is failing to capitalise and build upon what is a potentially valuable asset, being, the agricultural knowledge of indigenous farmers. This paper proposes an extension approach which shifts extension officers from the role of teacher to the role of facilitator, by recognising and valuing indigenous knowledge and culture and incorporating the principles of andragogy into an extension approach. It is suggested that the approach, coined the sustainable agriculture learning framework, will assist extension projects to enhance sustainable agriculture among indigenous farmers, thereby improving food security.