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'Software of Survival': Why Africa Must Protect Indigenous Knowledge
'Software of Survival': Why Africa Must Protect Indigenous Knowledge
Sputnik Africa
As Africa searches for lasting solutions to food insecurity and climate change, experts argue that one of the continent’s valuable resources is being... 09.08.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-08-09T11:00+0200
2026-08-09T11:00+0200
2026-08-09T11:00+0200
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'Software of Survival': Why Africa Must Protect Indigenous Knowledge
Sputnik Africa
As Africa searches for lasting solutions to food insecurity and climate change, experts argue that one of the continent’s valuable resources is being overlooked. Indigenous knowledge, they say, could strengthen food systems, protect biodiversity, and help communities adapt to environmental shocks if preserved alongside scientific innovation.
For decades, agricultural policies have largely focused on expanding conventional farming and boosting staple crop production. Yet researchers say traditional ecological knowledge, built over generations, remains an underutilized asset that could improve nutrition, conservation, and climate resilience.Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Derek Berliner, a conservation biologist and independent environmental consultant from South Africa, about the role indigenous knowledge can play in strengthening Africa’s food security while safeguarding its forests and biodiversity. Berliner argued that Africa’s shift toward monoculture farming and Westernized diets has reduced both nutritional diversity and resilience to climate change, while indigenous food knowledge has steadily eroded through urbanization and changing lifestyles. He said preserving this knowledge is not about rejecting modern science but integrating the two approaches to build more sustainable food systems.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole
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podcasts, south africa, africa, biology, biotechnology, biomedicine, forest, agriculture, food, food security , innovation, west, research, nature, meat, аудио
'Software of Survival': Why Africa Must Protect Indigenous Knowledge
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
As Africa searches for lasting solutions to food insecurity and climate change, experts argue that one of the continent’s valuable resources is being overlooked. Indigenous knowledge, they say, could strengthen food systems, protect biodiversity, and help communities adapt to environmental shocks if preserved alongside scientific innovation.
For decades, agricultural policies have largely focused on expanding conventional farming and boosting staple crop production. Yet researchers say traditional ecological knowledge, built over generations, remains an underutilized asset that could improve nutrition, conservation, and climate resilience.
Global South Pole spoke with Dr. Derek Berliner, a conservation biologist and independent environmental consultant from South Africa, about the role indigenous knowledge can play in strengthening Africa’s food security while safeguarding its forests and biodiversity.
Berliner argued that Africa’s shift toward monoculture farming and Westernized diets has reduced both nutritional diversity and resilience to climate change, while indigenous food knowledge has steadily eroded through urbanization and changing lifestyles. He said preserving this knowledge is not about rejecting modern science but integrating the two approaches to build more sustainable food systems.
"You know, one can actually consider indigenous knowledge as almost like the software of survival, that this knowledge has enabled people to use the environment sustainably, but also to survive," Dr. Berliner said.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the
Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by
Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole 
