Exploring indigenous knowledge and system development for cattle diseases diagnosis, treatment and modes of application

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge is a local knowledge acquired by local people through the accumulation of experiences, informal experiments and an intimate understanding of the environment in a given culture. The knowhow of cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment practice using indigenous knowledge play key role to improve farming and animal husbandry practices. The main objective of the study was to explore indigenous knowledge and develop a system for cattle diseases diagnosis, treatment and modes of application. The study area of this study is limited to the selected kebeles from East Wollega Zone. To achieve this study, exploratory research method was used to carry out the research and data collection instruments like observation, focus group discussion and interview were used to collect data from respondents. The study populations were farmers of selected from Jireenyaa, Gaarii, Kewesssa Shoonaa, Hordaa Dongii, Guutee Guddinaa and Oboraa kebeles. To conduct this study; the researcher used purposive sampling techniques to select respondents. The total population of this study was 107 respondents. The data was collected from respondent during the period between April and May 2019. Based on the finding, a system was developed for cattle diseases identification, diagnosis and treatment. Rule based disease treatment and identification was constructed using decision tree algorithm and the data set of the rule was knowledge obtained from indigenous knowledge practicioners of study area. The attained data showed that, people in the study area have good perception and practices on indigenous knowledge medicine of cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment. Since the drugs of this knowledge practices are easy to access and very little in cost, it is economically important to the farmers. These types of knowledge practices was accessed from elders and transferred through orally. To acquire, share, store and use indigenous knowledge medicine, local herbalist used songs, poem and heroic tale mechanism. This kind of valuable knowledge need to be stored, transferred and preserved for the next generation. Documenting indigenous knowledge is very to avoid the loss of this knowledge practices and is strongly recommended.