Triangulation with Técnicos: A Method for Rapid Assessment of Local Knowledge

The knowledge of tecnicos provides a perspective, which can be compared with farmer and scientific knowledge to offer new methods for rapid inventories of local knowledge. In this chapter, the authors defines tecnicos as people with formal education in agriculture or a technical field, but not with master’s or doctorate degrees. Tecnicos may have less international experience than the scientists, but often have much more local field experience than the scientists. Many scientists do not appreciate the potential of tecnicos to convey farmer information to scientists. The common-technical vocabulary of tecnicos is relatively stable through time and over large geographical areas. Tecnicos who took part in a project on tree health in Bolivia were from different areas in the department of Santa Cruz, yet used the same common names. Tecnicos are not only specialists who broker information from scientists to farmers, but professionals who can explain folk concepts in scientific terms.