Abstract
The capitalization of knowledge on soil is essential for research questions on climate change and soil fertility improvement. Literature indicates that soil organic carbon stocks (SOCs) increase soil fertility and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from soils for climate change issues. How about farmers’ knowledge of this statement? This study in Alaotra Region, Madagascar aims to analyze local indicators and perceptions of soil fertility before checking if the SOCs scientifically validated as main parameters of soil fertility are also validated by farmers as an indicator of fertility. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 100 farmers. They were asked to identify poor and rich soils. Local indicators for fertility assessment mentioned in the interviews were recorded, and soil samples were taken for Carbon stock analysis in a laboratory. A total of fourteen (14) main local indicators was found to be used by farmers in Alaotra Region to assess soil fertility status. They can be categorized in three classes: soil physical indicators, bio-ecological indicators and soil productivity indicators. The result also show that farmers’ perception of soil fertility status is positively correlated with the values of SOCs. The more the stocks increase, between 35,4 and 72,4 Mg C. ha-1, the more the farmers perceive the soils fertile. Soil management practice has a major impact on soil fertility. This good agreement between farmers and researchers confirms the need to reconcile knowledge from both to bring sustainable change in soil fertility.
Presenters
Solofo Nasandratra RavonjiarisonResearcher, Agronomy, Laboratory of Radio-Isotopes, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, SOIL ORGANIC CARBON, SOIL QUALITY, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, AMBATONDRAZAKA
