On the occasion of the EWABELT General Assembly, held on September 24, 2024, at Spazio Cairoli, Milan, Professor Barbara Aiolfi, from the University of Milan Bicocca (UNIMIB), illustrated the case of Leaves Economy from agropastoral contexts in Tanzania and Italian Alps.
The integration of anthropological perspectives within research and innovation networks offers profound insights into the complex relationships between human societies, their environments, and the systems that sustain them. This approach becomes particularly valuable when exploring areas such as food security, sustainability, and resilience, where human behavior, culture, and local knowledge play critical roles in addressing global challenges. A case study in Tanzania and Italy, as part of a European Union-funded research project, highlights the essential contributions of anthropology in understanding and strengthening local food systems through the concept of the “Leaves Economy.”
The research focuses on the role of edible leaves in the economy of two regions: Kongwa District in Dodoma, Tanzania, and the Val Saviore region in the Italian Alps. In both areas, food security is intertwined with local knowledge, agricultural practices, and socio-economic systems. The anthropological approach in this research, characterized by participatory observation, interviews, and community engagement, reveals how traditional knowledge of wild herbs and leaves has been passed down across generations. In Tanzania, for instance, indigenous communities in Kongwa District rely heavily on these plants for nutrition, using them as a primary source of vitamins and minerals. This practice, passed down through generations, has allowed the community to thrive in one of the driest parts of the country, where water and fertile soil are scarce.
Through this research, it becomes evident that the anthropological lens offers a deeper understanding of how local knowledge, particularly about plant-based resources, can contribute to sustainable food systems. While scientific methods can provide valuable data on crop yields, water use, and environmental changes, anthropology allows for a more holistic understanding of how these factors interact with cultural traditions, social structures, and economic systems.
Similarly, the research in Italy’s Val Saviore region, an area facing population decline and the abandonment of agricultural land, highlights the relevance of anthropology in understanding rural economies. Despite these challenges, initiatives such as the Biodistretto Valle Camonica focus on reviving traditional farming practices by reclaiming abandoned fields and promoting local crop varieties. From an anthropological perspective, these efforts are more than just economic activities; they are also a way of preserving cultural heritage, fostering community cohesion, and reinforcing the links between people and the land.
One of the key lessons learned from this cross-cultural study is the importance of intangible knowledge—knowledge that is often passed through oral traditions, everyday practices and lived experiences. Anthropology, with its emphasis on understanding human behavior and cultural practices, is uniquely positioned to document and preserve this knowledge. In both Tanzania and Italy, the research reveals that local agricultural knowledge is not static; it evolves with the environment and is shaped by both human and ecological factors. This dynamic nature of knowledge is particularly crucial in the context of climate change, where traditional farming techniques and the use of local plant varieties offer adaptive strategies in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
The integration of anthropology within research and innovation networks also underscores the importance of considering the cultural, social, and economic contexts in which innovations are introduced. Policymakers often focus on short-term economic gains, market-driven solutions, and technological advancements. However, the anthropological perspective calls for a more nuanced approach that values local knowledge, social structures, and cultural practices. This holistic approach can guide the development of more effective, context-specific policies that respect and build upon traditional knowledge while addressing contemporary challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and sustainability.
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