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Indigenous Knowledge Systems Drive Climate Diplomacy Between India and Africa

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 9:17 GMT by ThePrint

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Indigenous Knowledge Systems at the Forefront of Climate Diplomacy: How India‑Africa Collaboration Can Build Resilience

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a daily reality for millions across the globe. In both India and Africa, communities already feel the pinch of erratic monsoons, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing drought frequency. While technological solutions have long dominated the policy discourse, a growing body of research and experience shows that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)—the cumulative wisdom, practices, and innovations that local peoples have cultivated over centuries—are a powerful, yet under‑leveraged, asset for climate resilience. The recent subscriber‑written piece on ThePrint titled “Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Diplomacy for Climate Resilience – An India‑Africa Partnership” argues that the diplomatic bridge between India and Africa can—and should—be built on the shared foundation of IKS. Below is a comprehensive synthesis of the article, enriched by links to key reports and initiatives it cites.

What Are Indigenous Knowledge Systems?

IKS encompass a wide range of locally rooted practices that help communities adapt to their environment. These include crop‑rotation schedules attuned to seasonal rainfall, agroforestry techniques that balance tree cover with food production, traditional water‑management rituals, and culturally embedded risk‑management strategies. Unlike top‑down science, IKS are dynamic, empirically tested, and intrinsically linked to place‑specific ecological and cultural contexts.

The article underscores that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has increasingly highlighted the value of IKS, especially in its Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and more recently in AR6. The IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL) explicitly calls for the integration of IKS into national adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen food security.

Shared Climate Challenges in India and Africa

India’s monsoon system, critical for a nation of 1.4 billion people, has been displaying higher inter‑annual variability and intensity. Consequentially, 2023 alone saw a record 13 million acres of farmland experience drought stress, translating into losses of roughly ₹20 billion in agricultural output. In sub‑Saharan Africa, the Sahel region’s livestock‑reliant communities face increasingly frequent droughts, leading to food insecurity and mass migrations.

Both regions also grapple with water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and the socio‑economic fallout of climate‑induced disasters. These common stresses make a case for cross‑continental knowledge exchange: practices that have proven effective in one context might be adapted to another with relative ease.

Existing India‑Africa Climate Diplomacy Frameworks

The article traces the evolution of the India‑Africa climate partnership through several high‑level forums:

These platforms provide institutional backing for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and joint research initiatives. Importantly, the article points out that the CRP, funded jointly by India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the African Union, specifically earmarks a portion of its budget for “Indigenous Knowledge Capacity Building.”

Case Studies: Lessons in Practice

The article cites two vivid examples where IKS has been a catalyst for adaptation:

1. The “Millet Revival” Initiative in Kenya
   A collaboration between India’s National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture introduced drought‑tolerant pearl millet varieties. Drawing on Kenyan pastoralist knowledge of Mara millet—a crop that has thrived in arid conditions for centuries—researchers adapted Indian breeding techniques to produce hybrids that retain high yields in low‑rainfall scenarios. The project has reduced food insecurity in the Kajiado County by 18 % in the last two years.

2. Agroforestry in the Deccan Plateau, India
   The article references a pilot in Maharashtra that integrated Vishwakarma tree planting (a local species traditionally used for shade and soil conservation) with millet cultivation. The resulting system cut soil erosion by 40 % and increased farmers’ incomes by 12 %. A similar system is now being trialled in the Kenyan Rift Valley, showcasing the bidirectional flow of IKS.

These case studies highlight that when scientific research respects and incorporates local ecological knowledge, adaptation can be more resilient, affordable, and culturally acceptable.

The Role of International Bodies

The piece acknowledges the complementary role of global institutions:

• UNDP’s “Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change” Working Group (2022) has produced a framework that guides governments on how to legally recognize and protect IKS within national climate policies.
• The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has funded several India‑Africa co‑project pilots that merge climate finance with IKS training modules.
• The UNFCCC’s “Traditional Ecological Knowledge Working Group” now provides a platform for indigenous communities from both continents to share best practices during the COP28 negotiation sessions.

These links underscore that the India‑Africa partnership is not operating in isolation but is part of a global push to institutionalise IKS.

Recommendations and Policy Implications

The article’s author calls for a multipronged approach:

1. Institutionalise IKS in National Climate Policies – India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and Africa’s Adaptation Fund should embed specific IKS modules.
2. Formal Bilateral Agreements – Signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between ministries of environment and agriculture in both regions to facilitate regular knowledge exchange.
3. Dedicated Funding Mechanisms – Creation of a “Climate‑Resilient Indigenous Knowledge Fund” under the GCF (Green Climate Fund) that supports community‑led projects.
4. Co‑Authored Research – Encourage joint publication of climate‑adaptation case studies, ensuring indigenous voices are foregrounded.
5. Education & Training – Develop curriculum modules on IKS for agricultural universities in India and African institutions, fostering a new generation of climate scientists who appreciate traditional wisdom.

Looking Ahead

The author concludes with a hopeful vision: “When we view indigenous knowledge not as a relic but as a living, evolving science, we open a path toward climate resilience that is both effective and equitable.” In a world where the most vulnerable populations often have the least resources, leveraging IKS offers a way to build resilience without heavy reliance on expensive technology. Through diplomatic channels, sustained political will, and joint action plans, India and Africa can become the vanguard of a new climate diplomacy paradigm—one that places indigenous knowledge at its center.

Final Thoughts

The article from ThePrint provides a clear, data‑rich narrative that elevates indigenous knowledge from a footnote to a cornerstone of climate diplomacy. By bridging centuries of local wisdom with modern scientific inquiry, India and Africa can create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for all their communities. The next step lies in turning these insights into concrete policy actions and cross‑continental collaborations that honor both the land and the people who steward it.