Validating neglected indigenous agricultural knowledge for sustainable and resilient farming in Ethiopia

Indigenous knowledge (IK) represents a long-standing and locally adapted system of agricultural practice that plays an important role in sustainable resource management. Understanding and validating farmers’ indigenous knowledge is essential for its effective and inclusive integration into Ethiopia’s agricultural development strategies. This study documents and validates indigenous knowledge related to crop production, pest management, and livestock health in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative data with community-based statistical validation using cross-sectional data collected from 197 farmers. Only practices that farmers had personally applied were evaluated for effectiveness. The results show that farmers employ a wide range of indigenous practices for sustainable crop and livestock management. For crop protection, ash–garlic mixtures (mean = 3.56), livestock urine (3.36), livestock urine combined with fertilizer (3.24), and soap–endod solutions (3.15) were identified as the most effective practices. For livestock health management, plant-based remedies such as Tenadam–Nech-shinkurt (4.05), Heregresa (3.95), Yegebe-shenkurt (3.35), and Grawa (3.19) showed high perceived effectiveness. Indigenous knowledge is mainly transmitted through oral communication and practical experience; however, generational gaps pose a risk to its continuity. These findings demonstrate that indigenous agricultural knowledge remains a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for building resilient farming systems. The study highlights the importance of integrating validated indigenous practices with scientific knowledge to support sustainable agricultural production.