DC 7 – University of Botswana, Botswana
Thamary Mukuya is an Archaeologist, Heritage Management Practitioner, and Project Management Professional. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Archaeology from the University of Zimbabwe and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, and Museum Studies from Midlands State University – Zimbabwe. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Thamary is pursuing a PhD in Environmental Sciences at the University of Botswana, focusing on traditional agricultural crops and systems and the application of traditional ecological knowledge. Her experience spans cultural and natural heritage conservation and management, legislation and policy review and formulation, research and documentation, interpretation and presentation, heritage and environmental education and awareness, capacity building, multi-stakeholder engagement, community development planning, and project management. She has been involved in heritage and environmental conservation and tourism consulting for the public sector and NGOs in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. Her work covers world heritage sites; national parks; biosphere reserves; cultural, botanical, and agricultural landscapes; oases; and caves. Thamary’s primary interest is integrating indigenous knowledge systems and historical insights to address global issues like climate change, food insecurity, nutrition, and poverty.
AGRI-DRY Project:
Ethnobotany of traditional crops and agricultural systems
The study will establish modern and historical spatial distribution of traditional crops with a focus on Botswana. It will assess the evolution of traditional crop species over time in various regions of Botswana and identify socio-cultural practices associated with different crop species and farming policies from pre-colonial to recent historical times. Additionally, the research will consider variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, and explore their impacts or influences on traditional agriculture. This study aims to produce knowledge and insights that will enhance the understanding of the ethnobotany of traditional crops and their usage in space and time. Furthermore, it will provide insights into the opportunities and challenges currently faced in the use of traditional crops and offer policy recommendations to ensure the sustainability of traditional agriculture systems and contribute to food security.
AGRI-DRY 