The technical knowledge of peasants: its role in developing a theory on the technological development of andean agriculture

Abstract

Responding to the shortcomings of development strategies focussing on the transfer of modern agricultural technologies to the Third World peasantry, development institutions have recently shown increased interest in the agricultural knowledge of indigenous farmers. This interest both reflects and has nourished the movement toward participatory methods for the generation of agricultural technologies. Both these foci have, however, been weak in social theory. This paper suggests an alternative theoretical framework based on the concepts of labour and interaction drawn from the critical hermeneutics of Jürgen Habermas. This perspective allows each of the peasant's practical engagement with the biophysical environment, the communication of knowledge within the rural community and the relationship between peasants and external development institutions to be considered within the same theoretical framework. Technological and socio-cultural change are theorized as inextricable elements of the same processes. The framework also carries implications for the practice of rural change. «Participation» must be based on the principles of «dialogical communities» where campesinos and technicians participate as equals in discussions which simultaneously define the socio-cultural, technological and political objectives of any agrarian strategy.