Abstract

Traditional knowledge has made appreciable contributions to people’s sustenance and livelihoods. Its contribution to science and technology is however not recorded, codified, stored or systematized to spur knowledge sharing and science and technology development. It continues to be ordinary, couched and associated with low prestige rural life. An innovation systems framework was used to study the dynamics and mechanism for product, process and organizational innovations in the cassava production systems. The research study revealed that though some traditional knowledge driven innovations may be risky to health and environment; many made a positive contribution to people’s sustenance and livelihoods through production of innovative goods and services, improved livelihoods, sustenance, food safety and wholesomeness. The main argument in this study was that innovation strategies rooted in the traditional knowledge systems were socially inclusive and augurs sustainable development. The study underscored the value of creating systemic linkages useful in integrating traditional and modern knowledge systems to develop crop production systems.

Key words: Cassava production systems, rural livelihoods, social inclusion, systems linkages, traditional knowledge.