Indigenous Knowledge in Soil Erosion Control: Practical Experiences from Ethnic Minority Communities in the Northwest Region of Vietnam
Abstract
This study aims to document, systematize, and deeply analyze the indigenous knowledge system of the H'Mong community in managing and controlling soil erosion in the mountainous Northwest region of Vietnam, an area at severe risk of land degradation. Employing a qualitative case study approach in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province, the research conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation with experienced farmers to understand their perceptions and practices. The research findings reveal that the H'Mong possess a complex knowledge system where perceptions of land and erosion are interpreted through vivid local terminologies and intertwined with the spiritual value of “ancestral land.” This system is manifested through a combination of sustainable agricultural practices, including sophisticated terracing techniques, diverse agroforestry and intercropping models, and the philosophy of “clothing the soil” by maintaining vegetation cover. Notably, the study highlights the role of community conventions in protecting watershed forests, an effective erosion control measure at the landscape scale. These findings affirm that indigenous knowledge is not an outdated experience but a practical, dynamic, and effective scientific system. Therefore, the study proposes significant policy implications regarding the necessity of recognizing, conserving, and integrating indigenous knowledge into agricultural development programs, promoting co-management models between scientists, managers, and the community. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive systematization of erosion control practices, not only at the technical level but also through a deep analysis of the epistemological foundations and the social institutions that operate it, while also identifying contemporary challenges threatening the existence of this knowledge heritage.
