Including traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in agricultural research: Guidelines and lessons learned.

This manual is written within the framework of the ERA-NET Cofund on Food Systems and Climate (FOSC) Knowledge Hub to bring together the insights and experiences gained from NUTRiGREEN and MedAgriFood Resilience research projects. Although these projects are located in different geographical areas, they share a common goal: to address the ongoing challenge posed by the fact that agricultural research and policy perpetually overlook traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This approach keeps alive a sense of paternalism and prevents diverse knowledge systems from being integrated into research and policy. The manual was written for fellow researchers and policymakers in agriculture, agroforestry, food security and international development. It aims to bring into focus the effective inclusion of both traditional and scientific knowledge in global research. The manual defines and explains TEK’s benefits and limitations in research projects and offers practical guidelines for integrating TEK into contemporary agricultural and agroforestry research practices.