Indigenous women and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Africa Gender, Biodiversity and Local Knowledge Systems to Strengthen Agricultural and Rural Development (LinKS): United Republic of Tanzania, Mozambique and Swaziland

Thematic BLOCKINarea/programme Gender, agrobiodiversity and local knowledge Location United Republic of Tanzania, Mozambique and Swaziland Beneficiaries Researchers and development workers from governmental and non-governmental institutions Executing BLOCKINagency/agencies Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Implementing BLOCKINagency/ agencies FAO together with numerous partner institutions in each project country, such as national research institutions, universities, ministries of agriculture and livestock, extension service, seed units, non-governmental organizations etc. Source BLOCKINof BLOCKINfunds Government of Norway Overview The project focused not on indigenous peoples or indigenous women, but on local or indigenous knowledge and gender roles and responsibilities in relation to biodiversity management and food security. In the United Re­ public of Tanzania, the project supported one research study that explored local knowledge of the Maasai on breeding and selection of cattle, sheep and goats and its relation to the goals of food security and herd survival. Maasai pastoralists possess a specific knowledge system that they have used for generations to maintain their livestock and their production system. This study set out to investigate local knowledge, preferences and 2