Sonnie et al. Int. J. Res. Biosciences, 4(4), 62-67, (2015) 62 International Journal of Research in Biosciences Vol. 4 Issue 4, pp. (62-67), October 2015 Available online at http://www.ijrbs.in ISSN 2319-2844 Research Paper Integrating indigenous knowledge system to sustainable agricultural practices of Higaonon Tribein Claveria, Misamis Oriental Hacelyn B. Barrero 1 , Edgar D. Castañares 2 , Genne C. Amay 3 , Jennifer A. Magdugo 4 , Joel S. Pardilloand 5 , * Sonnie A. Vedra 6 1 Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region X 2 College of Forestry, Mindanao State University at Naawan 3 Department of Agriculture – Region X 4 Iligan City National High School 5 Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region XI 6 School of Graduate Studies, Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental, PHILIPPINES (Received July 6, 2015, Accepted August 13, 2014) Abstract Indigenous knowledge encompasses skills, experiences and insights of people that are applied to maintain or improve their livelihood. This paper tried to describe the indigenous sustainable agricultural practices of Higaonon tribe in Barangay Mat-i, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Ocular field visit was done to gather data through interview and focused group discussions. Using grounded theory in analysing the data, results showed that beyond simplicity of their land measurement and marking, Higaonon tribe maintained orderliness in terms of land ownership and cultivation of crops. Major sustainable crops raised include the staple rice and corn, and other root crops and fruit-bearing trees. However, the modern technological practices of agriculture hinder the tribe in sustaining their indigenous knowledge and practices in farming. As such, they were left no option, except to adapt the new sustainable farming technologies as a modified farming practice apart from what are usually used by their tribe. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Sustainable agriculture, Higaonon tribe Introduction With the emerging global knowledge coupled with the advent of technology, a country‟s ability to build, mobilize and make use of knowledge is equally important and essential for sustainable development. It encompasses skills, experiences and insights that people hadpracticed it since then in order to maintain or otherwise improve their livelihood. All of which are anchored on the basic component known as the indigenous knowledge [1] . Indigenous knowledge as applied to indigenous people‟s (IPs) perspectives is the information passed on to from one generation to the other, enabled their cultural community survive amidst unfavorable seasons, diseases or sickness and calamities. This knowledge system has facilitated the vital communication and decision–making among the members of the tribe [2] .Similarly, IPs have the capability to develop and adapt gradually to a changing environment while maintaining closely the interwoven people‟s cultural values. Their livelihood depends almost entirely on specific skills and knowledge essential for their survival taken cognizance particularly on agriculture; animal husbandry and ethnic veterinary medicine; use and management of natural resources; primary health care (PHC), preventive medicine and psychosocial care; saving and lending; community development; and poverty alleviation [1] .